Expert warns capital facing deluge threat

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Expert warns capital facing deluge threat

City's drainage system deemed 'inadequate'

Published: 25 Sep 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Bangkok is at risk of flooding from heavy downpours caused by an unusually lengthy monsoon trough period and an imminent storm early next month, an expert has warned.

Run-off from the North, which last year left parts of the capital submerged, will only worsen the flooding because the real threat this year is rain that may overwhelm the current inadequate drainage system in the capital, said Thanawat Charupongsakul, a disaster and geographic expert at Geology Department of Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, yesterday.

The city has so far not released enough water from canals to the extent done back in 2006 when canals were left with plenty of capacity to hold floodwater, he said.

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bern1005
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Discussion 17 : 25 Sep 2012 at 19.4717
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"In fact, police would be better off keeping watch on crime and traffic," Mr Wasan said.

Some people may say this "clearing of sewers" is "in fact" one of the few really useful things they have done.
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genii
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Discussion 16 : 25 Sep 2012 at 17.1116
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Why have the canals not been drained or cleaned ? Time to get someone in charge that knows what they are doing or knows how to work with others. Voters to remember politicians are servants of the public, paid for by the public and elected by the public.
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pointoffew
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Discussion 15 : 25 Sep 2012 at 13.1315
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"In fact, police would be better off keeping watch on crime and traffic," Mr Wasan said.
Why? Is that part of their duty?
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Lazarisbk
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Discussion 14 : 25 Sep 2012 at 12.4014
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Nero fiddled while Rome burnt, PT and BMA niggled while Bangkok drowns and UDD laughed while Bangkok burnt.
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blob123
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Discussion 13 : 25 Sep 2012 at 12.2013
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Heard all this stories last years, now this year and next year again? > for sure! All this can be handled, it just needs some people who know what they are doing.
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bula
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Discussion 12 : 25 Sep 2012 at 11.4412
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Did BMA spokesman visited the place where the inmates helped to clear the sewers before making criticism? If it had already been cleared early this year, it must be a very poor job done by BMA.
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banmebkk
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Discussion 11 : 25 Sep 2012 at 11.4011
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@abbub - In any country in the world, the government will try to save the heart of the country, the brain and economic center. Lets not cry over how Bangkok was dry last year. If you noticed how big Bangkok is, many areas were flooded. It was only the city center that was dry. This is not because only rich and powerful people live there.

Even though BMA and PTP are at odd ends, PTP still does not want Bangkok to flood. They are just bickering because that's what oppositions do. I think its great as it exposes faults and make people act quicker.
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dao
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Discussion 10 : 25 Sep 2012 at 10.3910
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Bangkok is at the bottom of a large flood plain .Maybe instead of pointing fingers at Bangkok maybe you should address the problems up North like deforestation and poor water management. Bangkok isnt flooding .The north is .
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jwatch
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Discussion 9 : 25 Sep 2012 at 10.139
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Good thing governor elections are coming up
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bluebottle
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Discussion 8 : 25 Sep 2012 at 10.088
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I would like to know what has happened to the one voice to keep people informed of potential problems.We seem to have more fingers in the pie this year then last.
The authorities have had 12 months to try and elevate the flooding problem and to me it seems like diddly squit has been accomplished.Bangkok had better hope the new river differences are built on better foundations than those further north.The mayor of BK seems conspicuous by his absence!!
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