The news came as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration warned Bangkokians to be prepared for floods over the next few days, with the Meteorological Department predicting more heavy rain in the city. A new flood-warning system has been introduced so people can get the latest information about possible floods.

BMA Drainage and Sewage Department director Sompong Wiangkaew said Prime Minister PrayutChan-o-cha had approved the 16 drain-widening projects and the plan would be sent to the Cabinet for consideration.

“The projects will be the construction of larger drainage pipes, which will have a 1.5 metre to 2m radius under traffic islands. They will increase the drainage capacity, which can drain flood waters from roads to canals more quickly,” Sompong explained.

He stated that the projects would be separated into two phases, with the first 11 projects predicted to commence next year and be finished in time for the next rainy season.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Deputy Governor Amorn Kitchawengkul warned people in the capital that the Meteorological Department had forecast a storm would approach the city from the Northeast and cause heavy rain in the coming days.

Amorn revealed that the BMA had coordinated with traffic police to set up the new three-level flood-warning system for the city, to give people updates and help them prepare journeys.

“The first level is the normal situation in which the BMA and the Traffic Command Centre will keep people informed with weather updates, while the second level is for emergency situations when there is heavy rain that may cause flooding. In this case local authorities will be deployed,” he said.

“While the third level is for critical situations, when some road traffic and water transportation may have to be suspended. In this case, the BMA and the traffic police will inform people three hours earlier, to let them plan their journeys and take alternative routes.” Following recent flooding in the capital, Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra wrote on his Facebook page that the city’s expansion to the natural waterways was the main reason for the problem.

“I am never disheartened by the flood problem because many people suffered from the flood. I will not blame anyone [for the problem], because solving the people’s burden is the most important thing,” Sukhumbhand said.

In related news, Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd, spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office, disclosed that the recent rains had relieved the drought situation in many parts of the country. However, he said water levels in the major dams were still low, so the PM had asked relevant agencies to carefully plan water management this year.

“The government has ordered the agencies that look after water management to store the water supplies as much as possible according to the amount of rain and the Cabinet has already approved a Bt1.4-billion budget for 35 projects across the country to store more water,” Sunsern said.

According to the Royal Irrigation Department, the overall stored water in the four main dams of the Chao Phraya River Basin was 30.849 billion cubic metres or 44 per cent of overall capacity.