Flood alert website opens

BANGKOK, 15 June 2012: Bangkok Metropolitan Administration office launched, earlier this week, a new website called “BKK Flood Watch” to provide online updates on flood threats and preventative  measures.

BMA spokesperson, Wasan Meewong, said the new website www.bangkokgis.com/bkkfloodwatch/index.php will serve as a communications channel between officials and Bangkok residents who want to keep themselves updated on flood warnings.

“The website also contains information on flood prevention strategies and  lists flood victims who have missed out on the compensation,” he said.

Viewers will also be able to look at the level of progress the BMA has achieved in protecting the city from floods as well as how many canals have been dredged to improve water flow.

The BMA’s own website www.bangkok.go.th will be linked to tBKK Flood Watch for easy access and to offer information about the BMA.

Bangkok’s inner city districts escaped the brunt of flooding that covered most the central plains north and west of the city, last year. An area 60 km wide and 200 km long (north to south) was covered in water for two months year causing billions of damage to the economy destroying factories and residences.

Bangkok itself largely escaped the flood mainly at the expense of suburbs and adjacent provinces.

The floods reached Don Mueang Airport that was closed for six months until last March, when domestic airlines returned to resume some services.