Last-Ditch Bid To Save Bang Chan

[Flashermac]

 

Northern run-off was closing in on Bang Chan industrial estate yesterday as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration issued an evacuation advisory for Bang Chan sub-district.

 

Vulnerable spots appear to be in the north and the northeast of the estate which are taking in advancing runoff from the street and water from Khlong Sam Wa which continues to rise.

 

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra issued an evacuation advisory for Bang Chan, bringing the total number of districts on evacuation alert to 12.

 

Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa said the government would try to protect the Bang Chan industrial estate as well as the one in Lat Krabang at all costs.

 

Seven industrial estates in Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani have been inundated despite government assurances they were well protected.

"They [bang Chan and Lat Krabang] are the last two we have to defend. We tried and failed in Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani.

 

"They are two important locations we must save or all the government's credibility will be lost," he said.

 

Bang Chan industrial estate houses more than 90 factories including firms like Nestle and Farmhouse bread producer President Bakery Plc, which employ more than ten thousand workers.

 

Floodwater yesterday seeped into the estate and flooded its streets. Flooding on Mom Chao Sangangamsupradit Street was about 20cm deep while Seri Thai Road was under 10-20cm of floodwater.

 

In the northern section of the estate, water in Bueng Krathiam also crept in from Ram Intra Road and Khlong Phraya Suren, flooding an area in front of Chinsan Electronic Industrial Thailand factory.

The floodwater, which was 10-20 cm high, was drained into the industrial estate's water drainage system before being diverted to Khlong Lo Lae, Khlong Ban Chan and then to Khlong Saen Saep.

 

Despite water entering the estate, the factories remained dry yesterday. as troops from the First Army Regionquickly reinforced the flood barrier.

 

Maj Gen Walit Rojanaphakdi, deputy commander of the First Army Region, yesterday met with Bang Chan industrial estate staff and the business operators.

 

He called for a 24-hour watch on the water level in Khlong Saen Saep which runs along one side of the estate.

 

The water in the canal yesterday rose to 88cm, about 3cm higher than on Sunday, and continued to rise.

 

The canal will overflow if the water exceeds the 118-cm mark.

 

Meanwhile, the BMA yesterday ordered the evacuation of the Jorakebua sub-district in Lat Phrao which is situated next to Khlong Lat Phrao canal.

 

The evacuation order covered areas along Lat Plakhao Road, Lat Phrao-Wanghin Road north of Prasert Manukit Road as well as Sena Nikhom Road.

 

The governor also declared more areas under close watch for possible flooding, that included communities along Khlong Bang Sue canal in Sam Sen Nok sub-district, ones along Khlong Lat Phrao canal, and areas on Lat Phrao Road from Lat Phrao 34 Road to Lat Phrao 46 Road.

 

In western Bangkok, many sections of Bang Bon Road were covered by 15cm of floodwater which was heading for Ekachai and Rama II roads.

 

MR Sukhumbhand said he was concerned the water may reach Rama II Road in Bang Khunthian district.

 

He said the BMA would try to drain the run-off into Khlong Maha Chai canal to stem water flow.

 

The governor said he disagreed with a proposal by the Samut Sakhon governor to dig channels on Rama II Road to accelerate the drainage of floodwater in western Bangkok and its outskirts.

 

He said the Royal Irrigation Department should drain the floodwater.

 

MR Sukhumbhand also said yesterday that about 800,000 people in Bangkok were living under 80cm of water in 470 locations.

 

He said officials were providing assistance and supplying foods and drinking water to those who did not evacuate.

 

Most of those stranded in their homes were in Sai Mai district, and in Nong Khaem district.

 

Nationwide, 527 people have died from flood-related incidents while two have been reported missing.

 

 

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