07.10.09 Ayutthaya declares flood disaster areas
Bangkok 'not likely to face heavy flooding'
The districts of Phak Hai, Sena and Bang Ban have been declared flood disaster zones in Ayutthaya.
They have been the hardest hit of seven districts which reported widespread flooding in the Central province.
Declaring the areas disaster zones will allow the provincial office to immediately disburse flood relief funds.
Meanwhile, the Irrigation Department has assured residents of
Bangkok that flooding this year would not be as bad as three years ago.
Ayutthaya governor Witthaya Phiewphong said the overflowing Chao
Phraya, Noi and Lop Buri rivers were to blame for the serious flooding
in his province. Many communities were now under 30cm to 70cm of water,
he said.
Deputy Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut said flood damage was
being assessed so relief funds could be allocated to affected areas.
He said floodwaters in the worst-hit communities in Ayutthaya and
neighbouring Ang Thong and Sing Buri were expected to rise by almost
another metre in the next few days.
But Irrigation Department chief Chalit Damrongsak said the flood
situation this year would not be as critical as the 2006 flooding which
devastated the central provinces.
He said the volume of water flowing down from Nakhon Sawan was
measured at 2,151 cubic metres a second yesterday, which was a moderate
level.
This was unlikely to have a major impact on Bangkok, especially its riverside communities, he said.
In Ayutthaya, people in more than 3,000 villages in Phak Hai, Sena
and Bang Ban were racing against time to move their belongings to
higher ground.
Flooding was also reported in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Bang Pa-in, Bang Sai and Maha Rat districts.
The run-off from the North was the result of days of downpours
brought on last week by Typhoon Ketsana, which caused widespread damage
in many northern and northeastern provinces.
In the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, floodwaters in
tambon Nong Bua Sala of Muang district which submerged more than 100
houses five days ago have begun to recede.
However, boats remain the only means of transport in many areas.
Meanwhile, a province-wide drill is to be held in Chumphon from Nov
2-4 to prepare local officials to cope with future typhoon emergencies.
Wiriya Mongkolwirapan, head of the National Disaster Warning Centre,
said the drill was necessary as Chumphon and other southern provinces
encounter many storms each year.
Chumphon was devastated by Typhoon Gay which killed more than 400 people on Nov 4, 1989. Source: TNA, 07.10.09 http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/25157/ayutthaya-declares-flood-disaster-areas
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