The Flood Relief Operations Command and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration have agreed with a six-point proposal demanding better management of stagnant and fetid floodwater in Bangkok's Don Muang and Laksi districts and Pathum Thani's Muang district.
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Soldiers get lucky A resident in flooded soi 69 on Rama II Road hands Buddhist amulets to a military officer to express thanks for the soldiers’ flood relief mission. |
They pledged to consider the proposals submitted yesterday by about 30 representatives from the three flood-hit districts after they had a meeting with the representatives, led by Pongthep Sirisap, at the Froc headquarters.
Froc spokesman Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen accepted the letter and met representatives to discuss the issue.
The BMA's representative, former Democrat MP candidate for Don Muang Tankhun Chit-isara, and Anond Snidvongs, the Froc's water management adviser, also attended.
After the meeting, Pol Gen Pongsapat promised to present the proposals to the relief committee and the prime minister to consider. Mr Pongthep said representatives were happy with the results of the meeting.
First of the six proposals, the residents requested 30 pumps to drain water from Klong Pream Prachakorn into Khlong Rangsit on its way to the Chao Phraya River and they also requested assistance with fuel and electricity shortages in some areas.
Second, they wanted Khlong Prem Prachakorn to be cleaned of debris and litter that is obstructing the water flow and for the sluice gate to be opened as widely as possible.
Third, they asked that a new "big bag" barrier be constructed along Khlong Rangsit in the area under Rangsit bridge to stop water entering Vibhavadi Road and begin draining the area as well as remove the old barrier to allow the passage of road traffic to resume.
Fourth, they also wanted the water to be pushed out of eastern Khlong Rangsit; different payment rates depending on the severity of the flooding in different areas; and for the Froc to consider draining water to Khlong Ban Mai as an alternative to expedite draining.
Fifth, the representatives proposed compensation models such as compensating 50% of the damage but not exceeding 500,000 baht, compensation for multiple households living under one property registration, and 50% compensation, taxation and a workers' policy for landlords.
Last, they requested an extension of the fee exemption on all tollways in their area.
He also said he would closely monitor the delivery of the promises and would meet with the affected residents to explain the situation to them today at a restaurant on Sri Samarn Road in Don Muang district.
In related news, Pol Gen Pracha, Nonthaburi Governor Wichean Putiwinyu, deputy city clerk of the BMA Jumpol Samkaopol and Weera Sangna, the Froc's chairman of committee on water management in the worst-affected flood areas,
held a press conference yesterday to announce that BMA would open all sluice gates in Khlong Mahasawat to varying degrees as an answer to the Nonthaburi residents' request through the governor.
Mr Wichean said following the residents' request to widen the opening of the sluice gates from 50cm to one metre or more in Khlong Mahasawat, the BMA had agreed to open all of them but the width of the openings will be different from place to place.
He said some gates might be open 70-80cm and some might be open to more than a metre. If the openings don't create problems for Bangkok residents, the widening of the gates will continue.
There will also be a reduction in the height of the barriers along Khlong Bang Kruai in Bang Phlat and Bang Lamphu district of Bangkok and Nonthaburi's Bang Kruai district so that the water can drain towards the sluice gate.
The BMA will consider reducing the height according to the opening of the gate from 50cm to 1m.
Mr Jumpol said he was confident the opening of the gates would not affect Bangkok.
Science and Environment Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi, who is head of Froc's flood operations section, said BMA must dismantle all flood barriers to allow stagnant floodwater north of the barriers to quickly flow to the sea.
"The opening of flood barriers will not pose any flood risk as floodwater levels in several areas have receded sharply over the past two months, particularly in areas along the Chao Phraya River," he said.
The government had no authority to dismantle the flood barriers erected by City Hall, he added.
But the BMA yesterday reported that eight of 36 districts affected by flooding were still in a critical condition, with levels exceeding 80cm.
The districts are Bang Khen, Bang Kae, Bang Phlat, Don Muang, Klong Sam Wa, Sai Mai, Taling Chan and Thawi Watthana.
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