Rain exceeded city's drainage capacity

News > Local News

Rain exceeded city's drainage capacity

Published: 19 Sep 2012 at 17.30
Online news: Local News

The flooding in inner Bangkok was caused by the sudden deluge of more than 100 millimetres of rain, well above the city's drainage capacity which could handle up to 60mm of rainfall at a time, Bangkok deputy governor Wallop Suwandee said on Wednesday.

He said the city’s drainage system - including water gates, pumping stations and water tunnels - had functioned efficiently.

The BMA had now cleaned out 97% of the city's drains and reduced water levels in canals in preparation for more rain.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

Forum

Your comments

Chris

Discussion 13 : 20 Sep 2012 at 15.1013
97% of the drains cleared huh?
They missed the sois around Ratchada so that must be the 3% remaining to be done.
I look forward to seeing the action here in the next few weeks.
from iPhone application.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
banmebkk
Post : 2,422
Send message

Discussion 12 : 20 Sep 2012 at 15.0512
Post this to my Facebook
PTP's solution for the flood was to repaved most of the roads so cars can pass when it floods. Amazing solution.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
bern1005
Post : 686
Send message

Discussion 11 : 20 Sep 2012 at 14.2711
Post this to my Facebook
While we all know that PT are wasting lots of money on flood related matters, it would be really helpful if we can be told if it is a central government or a BMA responsibility to maintain the drains and klongs in Bangkok.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
bkkmatt
Post : 337
Send message

Discussion 10 : 20 Sep 2012 at 02.1810
Post this to my Facebook
Diss 4 Upena. I'm sure I have read a BP report quoting more like 300 billion.

What amazes me is that out of the 300 billion bht "Flood Budget" you need un-skilled and Free labour from 1,000 inmates instead of hiring or purchasing proper machinery and skilled people to do the job properly.
The news and stories here just get more ridiculous by the day!!
Like dislike 12 people liked / 1 people disliked this comment
franklin
Post : 1,269
Send message

Discussion 9 : 20 Sep 2012 at 01.259
Post this to my Facebook
Amazing how it takes so long to conclude the obvious! The only draining that passed quickly without problem was the deluge of cash allocated to fix the (unfixed) problem.
Like dislike 11 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
aussie
Post : 613
Send message

Discussion 8 : 19 Sep 2012 at 22.168
Post this to my Facebook
What can you really do when it`s common knowledge that Bkk is 90cm above sea level and sinking at a rate of "10 millimetres (1cm) per 3 years" ?

"The land was subsiding at a rate of one centimetre to 10 centimetres each year".

A bit alarmist or what , so he is saying that Bkk will be under water within a decade ?

Well then again , they were saying that they wanted to build a new Capital during last years flood ?
Just imagin how much taxpayer baht could be snavelled by the usuall 30-50% under the table payments ?
Is it worth it ?
Like dislike 10 people liked / 1 people disliked this comment
The Dark Side
Post : 607
Send message

Discussion 7 : 19 Sep 2012 at 20.577
Post this to my Facebook
Bangkok always floods when there is a big rain, always has always will. Out in the western suburbs the Ministry of Transportation has just about completed the resurfacing of the outer-ring road. Put down about 100mm of new asphalt but did nothing for the drainage system. In fact I would estimate that more then 80% of the drains have in fact been restricted. Nice job government. I hope the Benz's of the MP's responsible get swamped like everyone else. Shear stupidity that is an everyday thing here.
Like dislike 18 people liked / 2 people disliked this comment
genii
Post : 753
Send message

Discussion 6 : 19 Sep 2012 at 20.546
Post this to my Facebook
The same can be said for the entire country. If the rain exceeds the drainage capacity there will be flooding. Even with improvements the system can only handle so much water. It's a way of life in tropical moonsoon coutries.
Like dislike 12 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
picasso
Post : 53
Send message

Discussion 5 : 19 Sep 2012 at 20.065
Post this to my Facebook
Am I understanding correctly? Inner Bangkok has been flooded? Everybody in government from PM Yingluck, the related government authorities and the scientific/university experts have declared that there wouldn't be any flooding in Bangkok this year. If this is true, when will everyone learn not to make PUBLIC DECLARATIONS... unless they are CERTAIN...of their predictions. Feeble excuses afterwards are not acceptable. Is it true, inner Bangkok is already flooded?
Like dislike 33 people liked / 5 people disliked this comment
upena
Post : 1,393
Send message

Discussion 4 : 19 Sep 2012 at 19.494
Post this to my Facebook
Excuses, excuses. Where did the 130 billion baht go?
Like dislike 34 people liked / 2 people disliked this comment