Bangkok, flood emergency: capital’s second airport closed
Authorities have ordered the suspension of flights from Don Meuang; links transferred to Suvarnabhumi international airport, which operates at full capacity. The updated toll speaks of 366 dead since the beginning of July. The capital in danger of collapsing. The government ensures transparency and updated information.
Bangkok (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Authorities have ordered the suspension of flights in Bangkok's second airport, Don Meuang, mainly used for internal connections, due to flooding that has affected the airport. The companies involved will use the Suvarnabhumi international airport, east of the capital, operating at full capacity as it has not yet been affected by the emergency. Meanwhile, the updated death toll reveals the number of victims has risen to 366, since the emergency began in early July.
To limit discomfort and help emergency teams, the Thai government has declared five extraordinary bank holidays - October 27 to 31 - in 21 provinces of the country, including the capital Bangkok.
To the north of the capital, the authorities are continuing a tough fight against time, trying to drain the huge amount of water pressing from the north. Currently seven out of 50 districts of Bangkok located in the north and north-west have a high flood risk. The possibility that flood waters could break through the barriers in place to protect the city has not been ruled out, increasing concern among the public and government officials. Pracha Promnog, head of Civil Protection, has confirmed that "the water will enter Bangkok from Rangsit, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani."
According to experts' forecasts around 4,000 million cubic meters of water are expected to arrive tomorrow from Ayutthaya. The vice-governor of Bagnkok explains, however, that the capital can hold up to "400 million cubic meters of water per day." Yesterday, the Chao Phraya River reached a record level of 2.3 meters above sea level, exceeding 2.7 meters, reached in 1995. With the population beginning to show signs of alarm and nervousness, the Prime Minister Shinawatra Yingluck has ensured that "the government has no intention of hiding any information" and will provide "regular updates".
To limit discomfort and help emergency teams, the Thai government has declared five extraordinary bank holidays - October 27 to 31 - in 21 provinces of the country, including the capital Bangkok.
To the north of the capital, the authorities are continuing a tough fight against time, trying to drain the huge amount of water pressing from the north. Currently seven out of 50 districts of Bangkok located in the north and north-west have a high flood risk. The possibility that flood waters could break through the barriers in place to protect the city has not been ruled out, increasing concern among the public and government officials. Pracha Promnog, head of Civil Protection, has confirmed that "the water will enter Bangkok from Rangsit, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani."
According to experts' forecasts around 4,000 million cubic meters of water are expected to arrive tomorrow from Ayutthaya. The vice-governor of Bagnkok explains, however, that the capital can hold up to "400 million cubic meters of water per day." Yesterday, the Chao Phraya River reached a record level of 2.3 meters above sea level, exceeding 2.7 meters, reached in 1995. With the population beginning to show signs of alarm and nervousness, the Prime Minister Shinawatra Yingluck has ensured that "the government has no intention of hiding any information" and will provide "regular updates".
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