Relief effort falters in Bang Bua Thong
Officials and rescue workers trying to help flood victims trapped in Nonthaburi's Bang Bua Thong district have been struggling to carry out their tasks.
- Published: 22/10/2011 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: topstories
A shortage of boats with engines has been a significant obstacle.
Nonthaburi governor Wichian Phuttiwinyu said the district faced the province's worst flooding. Floodwater has covered almost 100% of Bang Bua Thong.
The province has mobilised all resources, including staff, cars and boats to provide assistance to flood-affected people in Bang Bua Thong, Pak Kret and Sai Noi districts, with support from 450 troops from the Air Defence Command and the 2nd Army Region.
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Vehicles used in the flood relief operations include 86 cars, 24 shuttle buses, rowing boats and boats with engines.
Mr Wichian said officials and rescue workers have experienced difficulty reaching flood victims.
They need more boats with engines to quickly reach those people trapped in their houses in flooded housing estates, he said.
Nonthaburi province has only a limited number of boats with engines, added the governor.
The province has asked the Royal Thai Police and the Flood Relief Operations Command (Froc) to lend the province more boats.
The Royal Thai Police has agreed to lend the province 10 boats.
Froc has agreed to lend the province more boats, high-wheeled vehicles and water pumps, said Mr Wichian.
Maj Gen Veeran Chanthasatkoson, the deputy commander of the Air Defence Command who led a group of troopers to support Nonthaburi's flood relief operations, said thousands of people were still trapped in their houses in Bang Bua Thong district.
Over the past three days, about 3,000 people have sought help at the province's evacuation centre, said Maj Gen Veeran.
An 8km stretch of the Bang Kruai-Sai Noi road is flooded, which is also hampering relief operations.
Troops had to gain access to the district through Rattanathibet Road, and large vehicles could not go through small roads in housing estates in the district to reach those in need.
Adding to the woes, the floodwater current in the district is very strong in places, added Maj Gen Veeran.
In Nonthaburi's Bang Yai district, floodwater has continued to rise.
With almost the whole of Bang Bua Thong district inundated, the flood level near Thanon Canal in Bang Yai district, adjacent to Bua Thong 1 housing estate, has risen to over one metre. Areas on both sides of Kanchanaphisek Road (Taling Chan-Suphan Buri) in front of Bang Yai Market are also flooded.