Tropical depression a mixed blessing

A tropical depression is bringing heavy rain to Thailand.
The Meteorological Department has forecast that downpours, some heavy, will hit several areas in the country’s northeastern and eastern regions during the next few days.
Authorities are preparing to prevent – or at least ease – flooding.
Water Resources Department deputy director-general Sirichai Kunanopparat yesterday said flood-prone areas in the lower Northeast could face inundation.
“We have kept water pumps on standby. If the flood hits, such devices can help,” he said.
So far, Sirichai said, the rain brought by the tropical depression had brought some benefits. He explained that it would add water to dams.
“The water levels at Lam Phra Phloeng and Lam Takhong dams, for example, are between 27 and 30 per cent of capacity only,” he said.
He even suggested the depression would bring more benefits than flood risks.
Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi, who also heads the Water and Flood Management Commission (WFMC), reckoned the rainfall during the current period would determine whether the country would face floods or drought.
“The coming depression is the first storm to affect Thailand this year,” he said.
Plodprasop said if no more storms hit at around the same time, the coming depression should help the country by boosting the volume of its stored water.
Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute director Royol Chitradon, who also heads a WFMC subcommittee, said the panel had worked with various agencies to prepare efficient drainage of water in towns and cities – especially in Bangkok.

Ready to push out water
He said boats were now positioned at strategic locations along the Lad Phrao Canal, as their engine propellers could be used to facilitate the flow of water into the sea.
“We will also use the boats in some other canals such as the Thawi Watthana Canal,” he added.
On flood risks, Royol expressed concern for the Chaeng Watthana, Huai Khwang, Sukhumvit and Srinakharin areas of Bangkok.
“We are now working with agencies in a bid to improve Bangkok’s water-drainage capacity,” Royol added.
Deputy Bangkok Governor Amorn Kitchawengkul said to reduce flood risks during the rainy season, the water level in Bangkok’s Bang Sue Canal was now 80 per cent lower than the mean sea level.
He expressed confidence that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administra-tion would be able to efficiently respond to floods.
BMA deputy permanent secretary Sanya Chenimit said if the rainfall was about 60 millimetres, any floodwaters on road surfaces would be drained within three hours.