City Hall gears for flood clean-up

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is preparing a major clean-up after the floodwaters recede, while urging residents to separate rubbish and securely bag infectious waste, sewage and food scraps, to prevent contamination.

Deputy governor Pornphrom Vikitsreth chaired a meeting on Tuesday where the BMA’s environment department set a three-stage framework for all district offices.

The framework includes flood preparations, but with flooding already widespread the meeting focused on what to do during flooding and how to respond afterwards.

During flooding, waste collection will be scheduled every two or three days, or immediately when bins are full.

Vehicle types will be selected based on water levels, with compactor trucks to be used in low-level flooding. Pickup trucks will be used in areas where water remains below exhaust-pipe level.

In deeper floods, flat-bottom boats fitted with 660-litre bins will collect rubbish from residents and transfer it to locations accessible to collection trucks.

Under a “pairing system”, less affected districts and the environment department will provide staff, equipment and vehicles to severely affected areas.

Workers will be required to wear waterproof clothing and rubber gloves to reduce the risk of  water-related diseases including leptospirosis, known as rat urine disease.

After the flooding, the BMA will launch a major clean-up operation involving district offices, government agencies and private companies to remove mud, disinfect areas, treat wastewater and restore the environment.

Residents are asked to seal infectious waste, sewage and food scraps in bags, place dry rubbish on high ground and take bulky waste to designated collection points.

Vendors open their stalls for business at flooded Bang Kapi market in Bangkok on Tuesday. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)