More funds to fight floods
August 31, 2012 by Wanwisa Ngamsangchaikit
Filed under Government, News, Thailand
BANGKOK, 31 August 2012: The Thai Cabinet approved, Tuesday, an additional budget of Bt768.9 million to expedite three water management projects, which should help to keep Bangkok flood-free during the rainy season.
Science and Technology Minister, Prodprasob Surasawadee, who is also the flood and water management committee chairman, said that the budget allocation would help to safeguard northern suburbs that suffered the most damage in the 2011 flood.
“Bt263.7 million will be spent on the construction of a siphon at the Bang Chom Sri watergate and another Bt334 million to set up a semi-permanent water pumping station at Rangsit Prayurasak Canal in Pathum Thani province.”
Prodprasob Surasawadee
The move will help prevent flooding in the areas north of Bangkok, where many industrial estates are located.
“Another Bt171 million has also been granted by the Cabinet to fund a flood prevention scheme for Thammasart University, the Asian Institute of Technology and the National Science and Technology Development Agency, that are all located in the flood-prone zone.”
He added: “Floodwalls will be reinforced with concrete, while more barriers made of soil will also be constructed around Thammasart University’s entrance and in surrounding areas.”
Thammasart Hospital must be protected as it would be used as an evacuation centre in the event of serious flooding in districts close by, the minister added.
