East Bangkok to be flooded to save the economic center
By tomorrow a body of water of 8 billion cubic meters will arrive in the capital. Seven areas of the city flooded and the water will exceed one meter in height. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra admits failure and demands solidarity. Losses of over 3 billion dollars.
Bangkok (AsiaNews) - To save the economic center and most populous region of the capital, the Bangkok government has decided to use the east to contain the huge flood that is bearing down on the city, after months of heavy rains.
The drainage through the east will flood at least seven districts: Sai Mai, Klong Sam Wa, Kannayao, Min Buri, Lat Krabang, Bang Khen and Nong Chok.
According to the Department of irrigation, a body of water of 8 billion cubic meters will arrive tomorrow at the city limits. The area of Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani (in the north of Bangkok) will pour 120 million cubic meters of water per second into the east, 100 million west and 480 million cubic meters into the north, the Rangsit plains. In areas to the east, it is expected that the water will reach a height of 1-1.2 meters.
The government attempts to save the capital through sandbags dams has proved unsuccessful. Huge masses of water are breaking down barriers and rushing toward the capital. The city authorities have warned people of the eastern area to evacuate their homes and get to higher ground to avoid the flood.
Prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra has appealed to the nation, confessing that her government is trying to do everything possible, but with few results, given the scale of the disaster. She has asked for solidarity from the media and the public. “We are doing everything possible - she said - but this is a great national crisis. "
Heavy rains in recent months - the most intense for decades - have caused 317 deaths around the country: most of them from drowning. At least 9 million people are affected and 27 of 77 provinces are flooded. The waters have damaged shops, factories, destroyed rice fields and crops. For now damage is calculated at more than 3 billion U.S. dollars. But the toll is growing.
The drainage through the east will flood at least seven districts: Sai Mai, Klong Sam Wa, Kannayao, Min Buri, Lat Krabang, Bang Khen and Nong Chok.
According to the Department of irrigation, a body of water of 8 billion cubic meters will arrive tomorrow at the city limits. The area of Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani (in the north of Bangkok) will pour 120 million cubic meters of water per second into the east, 100 million west and 480 million cubic meters into the north, the Rangsit plains. In areas to the east, it is expected that the water will reach a height of 1-1.2 meters.
The government attempts to save the capital through sandbags dams has proved unsuccessful. Huge masses of water are breaking down barriers and rushing toward the capital. The city authorities have warned people of the eastern area to evacuate their homes and get to higher ground to avoid the flood.
Prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra has appealed to the nation, confessing that her government is trying to do everything possible, but with few results, given the scale of the disaster. She has asked for solidarity from the media and the public. “We are doing everything possible - she said - but this is a great national crisis. "
Heavy rains in recent months - the most intense for decades - have caused 317 deaths around the country: most of them from drowning. At least 9 million people are affected and 27 of 77 provinces are flooded. The waters have damaged shops, factories, destroyed rice fields and crops. For now damage is calculated at more than 3 billion U.S. dollars. But the toll is growing.
.png)
See also
Flood threatens centre of Bangkok
15/10/2011
15/10/2011
