800m baht earmarked to limit flooding

       The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration plans to spend 800 million baht on improving the drainage system along Srinakharin Road after serious flooding yesterday.
       Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said the drains along a 6.5km stretch of the road between the Phatthanakan and Sri-udom intersections on Sukhumvit Soi 103 would be improved.
       The work will take about two years.MR Sukhumbhand said part of Srinakharin Road was built by the Rural Roads Department without a modern drainage system before it was transferred to the BMA.
       A heavy downpour yesterday morning flooded several major roads in Bangkok,causing traffic jams across the city.
       The situation was particularly serious on Srinakharin Road where floodwaters were from 30cm to 50cm high.
       "I ask for forgiveness from Bangkokians for the slow drainage of floodwaters from many areas," MR Sukhumbhand said."That was because the torrential rainfall on Monday night required six to eight hours to drain from the roads."
       In nearby Samut Prakan province, floodwaters on certain streets off Sukhumvit Road were as high as 80cm. The areas became impassable to small vehicles.
       In Nakhon Ratchasima's Phimai district, the overflowing Moon River submerged more residential areas yesterday.
       Flood officials said the water level in the Moon rose by 10cm, affecting more than 300 households in Phimai.
       The average flood level in the district is 50cm, while the highest level recorded yesterday was one metre. There was a shortage of drinking water in many of the flooded areas.
       The flooding in Phimai for more than a week has seen more than 50 residents develop skin and foot diseases, officials said. No agency has come forward with assistance despite repeated pleas for help.
       Si Sa Ket's Sila Lat district was also hit by heavy flooding, with the flood level as high as one metre in some places. About 2,000 rai of farmland in tambons Nong Bua Dong and Kung have been swamped.
       Phitsanulok governor Preecha Ruangjan yesterday declared Bang Rakam district a disaster zone as the flooding has spread and covered about eight tambons. Almost 40,000 rai of farmland has been affected.
       The Meteorological Department yesterday issued a warning that Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi and Phetchaburi provinces could be hit by flash floods as more rain is forecast.
       Flooding has already hit two districts - Huay Krachao and Lao Khwan - in Kanchanaburi.
       In Huay Krachao district, flooding has affected about 200 households and damaged more than 10,000 rai of farmland.
       In Lao Khwan district, all seven tambons are under water.