Downtown Ang Thong at risk of flooding

Written by Writer on Saturday, November 8th, 2008

Downtown Ang Thong at risk of flooding

POST REPORTERS

Rising water levels are threatening to swamp the economic heart of Ang Thong as floods continue their destructive surge in neighbouring Ayutthaya.

The level in the overflowing Chao Phraya river is critically high and is eating away the earthen embankment that has been keeping the central municipal area dry for the past weeks.

Water has flowed into the sewerage system in suburban communities as parts of downtown Ang Thong Muang district, including the bustling commercial area, in tambon Talad Luang, are now flooded.

Lines of sandbags are being reinforced to secure Muang Ang Thong municipality. Officials are monitoring the water level situation around the clock, said mayor Chai Suwapan.

So far more than 2,700 people in Muang, Chaiyo, Pa Mok districts have suffered from flash floods.

In Ayutthaya, the water level in the Chao Phraya river has shown no sign of ebbing. In many areas, the river has reached a dangerous level.

Many historical sites outside of the nucleus Koh Muang area have turned into lakes.

However, Fine Arts Department deputy chief Prarop Laowanit said the structures of the sites can withstand the inundation. The water level was measured at between 40-100 metres in those areas.

To alleviate floods in Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, and Sing Buri provinces, the central provinces particularly prone to seasonal floods, irrigation officials have diverted some water from the Chao Phraya river to canals that empty into the Gulf of Thailand, helping to channel water away from the low-lying provinces.

Many farmers complained that the Chao Phraya river in upstream Chai Nat was releasing too much water.

Authorities are looking for ways to ease the floods ahead of the expected high tide during Nov 14-16, which would slow the river’s flow into the Gulf.

Bangkok Post
Saturday November 08, 2008