Drought has reached the eastern outskirts of Bangkok with three small reservoirs and a road sustaining subsidence damage because of falling water levels in local canals.
Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang on Tuesday led City Hall authorities in inspecting the damaged reservoirs and road in Nong Chok district.
The first was in Soi Sangkha Santisuk 63, the second opposite the Sala Daeng mosque in Sangkha Santisuk 61; and the third was near Ninrat Uppatham School in Soi Sangkha Santisuk 81. The damaged road was in Soi Suwinthawong 42.
Built by City Hall's Department of Drainage and Sewerage, the three reservoirs are located along the banks of Saen Saeb canal connecting to Khlong Nakhon Nueang Khet canal which flows towards the eastern province of Chachoengsao.
Pol Gen Aswin said that the department of drainage and sewerage will demolish damaged parts of the reservoirs and put in place new concrete piles to strengthen their foundations.
As for the road on Soi Suwinthawong 42, the Public Works Department and the Nong Chok district office have been instructed to step up efforts to fix the problem so it can be opened to traffic temporarily, and authorities will come up with a long-term solution to fix it, the Bangkok governor said.
Pol Gen Aswin said another eight roads in Nong Chok district have also suffered subsidence damage.
Meanwhile, Monton Sudprasert, director-general of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, said a total of 4,781 villages in 101 districts of 20 provinces have been declared drought emergency zones with water trucks having been dispatched to them to ensure people get access to water.
Wells are also being dug in five drought-hit provinces -- Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Uthai Thani, Satun and Chanthaburi, he said.
