Bangkok: Sopon explains Bangkok’s flooding was caused by excessive rain. He ordered expedited drainage and strict measures to address the long-term problem. Deputy Prime Minister Sophon Saram, in his capacity as superintendent of the Office of National Water Resources (ONWR), revealed the flooding situation in several areas of Bangkok. He stated that over the past two to three days, the rainfall has exceeded the system’s capacity, forcing many areas to wait for drainage. However, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has been able to control the situation to a certain extent, and if the rainfall doesn’t increase significantly, he believes the situation will improve soon.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Sopon stated that it’s important to understand the nature of Bangkok’s terrain, as heavy rainfall is bound to lead to stagnant water. The BMA is currently exploring long-term solutions, such as building additional drainage tunnels to speed up drainage efficiency. He emphasized that the current rainfall is considered “out-of-season” and that he is closely monitoring data from the Meteorological Department.
The Deputy Prime Minister also revealed that he has coordinated with Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt to expedite solutions and alleviate public suffering, particularly in areas where drainage is delayed due to obstacles from large-scale construction projects, such as the electric train. He has instructed all units to work diligently and to continuously monitor weather forecasts to ensure prompt response to unexpected rainfall events.