4m sandbags ready for Bangkok "Floods"

       Four million sandbags have been prepared as temporary embankment walls to cope with coming floods in Bangkok at the peak of this month's wet season, a deputy Bangkok governor said yesterday.
       The sandbags will be utilised to prevent flooding at 15 locations most prone to flash foods, said Phornthep Techapaiboon. Flood drainage operations and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's BEST rapid-response teams are also on standby to help with emergency flooding, he added.
       Water level in canals have been kept at a low level to cope with high rainwater volume, he said. "We expect the drainage of extra water flowing to the Chao Phya River and to the Gulf of Thailand estuary will be fast enough to cope with the rainwater volume," he added.
       The 15 roads and locations at greatest risk of flash floods are Chan, Sri Ayutthaya, Soi Sukhumvit 39, 49, 66 and 103, Lat Phrao, Nawamin, Ratchaphisek road at Robinson mall and at Lat Phrao intersection, Phetchaburi road from Banthad Thong to Ratchathewi roads, Nikhom Makkasan, Rama VI, Phetkasem, Yen Arkas, Sri Nakharin and Sanam Chai-Maha Raj road.
       The water catchment areas are still capable of holding another 50 per cent of the current maximum capacity. If the maximum rainwater volume reaches 1,800 mm, from the current rate at 1,600, it will be a record for the past 30 years, said Phornthep.