Pumps shifted to priority areas BMA targets districts that can be sealed off

Large pumps are being redeployed in areas which remain flooded as many parts of Bangkok start to recover from the disaster.

Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said yesterday pumps were mobilised from the government and the private sector to drain floodwater from flooded communities.

The drainage started in communities which could be sealed off and water was being pumped out into nearby canals.

The operation was launched yesterday in Kosumniwet housing estate in Don Muang district, Chaeng Watthana 14 Road and Khehachumchon Thung Song Hong community in Laksi district, and Ram Intra 1-39 roads in Bang Khen district.

Floods there should disappear between Dec 5 and 14.

Similar operations in other heavily flooded areas will be launched when water levels in nearby canals drop.

MR Sukhumbhand said water could not be pumped out of Sethakit housing estate in Bang Kae district because the level of Khlong Thawi Watthana canal remained high and the housing estate was too large to be sealed off.

However, he assured all areas of Bangkok would be dry by Dec 31 as tides from the sea were not so high and the levels of canals in the capital were declining.

He said sluice gates in Bangkok would be gradually opened to release floodwater from nearby provinces in order to drain floodwater in Bangkok at the same time.

Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi who is assistant director of the Flood Relief Operations Command (Froc) said yesterday the government was removing big sandbags in northern Bangkok to accelerate flood drainage.

He expects the task to be finished within two weeks.

Meanwhile, a group of Pathum Thani's Lam Luk Ka residents, led by Sa-ngiam Samranrat, raised the Khlong Lam Mor Taek sluice gate to 2m from 50cm yesterday, a source said.

Pol Maj Sa-ngiam is a red shirt leader and a political office holder at the Prime Minister's Office.

The residents reportedly said they would lower the sluice gate if Bangkok's Sai Mai district and Sukhaphiban Road 5 were affected by floodwater.

The source said the city administration later lowered the Khlong Lam Mok Taek sluice gate back to 50cm.

Also yesterday, about 200 people blocked Phahon Yothin 48 Road where they live in Bang Khen district to put pressure on the BMA and the Froc to speed up drainage of floodwater which has submerged their areas for a month.

The road closure caused heavy traffic, prompting traffic police to be sent to direct traffic in the area.

The furious residents agreed to disperse at 5.30pm following negotiations with Anond Snidvongs, the Froc's water management adviser, who promised to work with the BMA to open the Khlong Lat Phrao sluice gate wider.

In Laksi district, angry residents of Chaeng Wattana 14 Road yesterday agreed to end their protest after floodwaters on their road finally receded.

The Administrative Court yesterday ordered the Froc and the BMA to set guidelines regarding the opening of Khong Maha Sawat sluice gate.

The court also rejected a request asking it to suspend the government operation to salvage Highway 340 (Bang Bua Thong-Suphan Buri) and Kanchanaphisek Road.

The salvage operation of the highway has already been completed.

Earlier, Todsiri Poolnual, a representative of flood-hit residents in Nonthaburi's Bang Bua Thong district, asked the court to stop the BMA from managing the sluice gate that affects the water levels between Bangkok and Nonthaburi.

She also sought a court order to suspend the salvage operation of Highway 340.

Mr Anond insisted the Froc would not shut down and transfer its duties to the Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management or the Strategic Committee for Reconstruction and Future Development.