Floods a threat to heritage

The Department of Fine Arts is reviewing measures to protect heritage sites in Ayutthaya following reports that a number of pagodas and temples are either flooded or face a serious threat.

The department expressed concerns over the state of the province’s famed historic sites as heavy downpours triggered flash floods that have hit most parts of Ayutthaya.

So far, officials have drained floodwater from flood-hit temples and built flood barriers to prevent further erosion.

The department confirmed the integrity of ancient pagodas had not been compromised.

During the flood disaster in late 2011, 157 historic monuments in the province were damaged and hundreds of factories closed.

Rising water levels in dams along the Chao Phraya River set off alarm bells last week and the Meteorological Department is forecasting more heavy rains over the next five days.

The weather bureau said a high pressure cell from China will cover the North, Northeast and eastern regions of Thailand.

During the weekend, the monsoon will move south to the central plains, causing torrential downpours.

Boat operators on the Chao Phraya River have been warned to take extra precautions to avoid accidents caused by fast-moving water runoff from the North.

Transport Minister advisor, Surachet Chaikosol, said that the volume of runoff from the North flowing through the Chao Phraya River system would be the most harmful, particularly at Bang Ban district and the outskirts of Ayutthaya due to the narrow river channel and sharp curves that increase water flow speed.

The fast currents caused a barge carrying soil Wednesday, to sink. No one was injured.

“We are warning barge and tugboat operators to take precautions and security should be increased at piers, while ferries and charter boat services must be very cautious.”

Marine Department Ayutthaya office chief, Rachata Pakafung, said the waterflow near Wat Panan Choeng, where the Chao Phraya and Pa Sak Rivers merge, is the area most prone to accidents.

Bangkok deputy governor, Amorn Kitchavengkul, warned that the Irrigation Department’s release of water from upstream reservoirs at 500 cubic metres per second could cause a problem for Bangkok’s flood prevention measures.

“The Drainage and Sewerage Department was instructed to boost the efficiency in draining water into the Chao Phraya River,” he said.

The six-km tunnel at Bung Phra Ram 9 is capable of taking water from  Saen Saeb, Lat Prao and Phra Kanong canals  to the Chao Phraya River at 60 cubic metres per second, and alleviate flooding in Bang Kapi, Lat Prao, Wang Thong Lang, Bung Kum, Huai Kwang, Sapan Soong and nearby areas covering about 50 sq/km, he said.

Four water pumps at the giant tunnel are running at full speed  to drain water out of the city.

The Chao Phraya River’s capacity is around 2,500 to 3,000 cubic metres per second, but the additional water from northern reservoirs will exceed the river’s capability, he said, adding that Bangkok needs six more tunnels to boost its drainage capability.

Flooding in Prachin Buri is still at a critical level after additional floodwater from rain-soaked Sa Kaeo province flowed into flooded areas, raising the water level.

The overnight rain in Sa Kaeo province caused more flooding in Prachin Buri’s Kabin Buri district. The heavy rainfall added to floodwater at the old market community, raising it to almost four metres deep. Outer areas such as Unakool Road were under a metre of floodwater.

The floodwater level in Si Maha Phot district rose by 20 cm at Ban Khok Mai Daeng, formerly a flood-free area, is now inundated.

In Lop Buri’s Ban Mi district, the floodwater in many subdistricts was stable, but Suthep Witthaya School closed indefinitely after its premises were under 50 cm of water.

It was expected that the school could reopen next week.

Areas along the Chainat-Pasak River in Lopburi were at risk as the strong current eroded the river bank, damaging the clay dyke. Residents have started moving their belongings.

At Ubon Ratchathani, 16 districts were declared flood disaster zones, while floodwater has damaged more than 200,000 rai of agricultural crops and some 2,000 households were flooded.

According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, 30 provinces across the country have suffered from flood since 17 September. Of that, 25 provinces are still inundated. 13 people have died.

Sourced: ttrweekly