Nonthaburi raises red flags, reinforces flood barriers

Nonthaburi Municipality has raised red flags warning of critically high water levels and ordered sandbags to strengthen a 10-kilometre-long flood barrier along the Chao Phraya River following an increase in water discharge rates from the Chao Phraya dam in Chai Nat province.

Mayor Somnuek Thanadechakul on Wednesday instructed municipal engineering officials, volunteers and soldiers to reinforce the existing flood barriers with sandbags at the Nonthaburi pier in tambon Suan Yai of Muang district.

The move followed the Royal Irrigation Department’s announcement that the discharge rate of the Chao Phraya Dam had been increased to 2,200 cubic metres per second, from 2,000 cu m/sec on Wednesday.

The discharge rate was 1,620 cu m/sec just seven days ago, before a series of heavy downpours caused widespread flooding in Bangkok and adjacent provinces.

About 100 municipal workers and soldiers were mobilised to raise the 30-centimetre flood barriers by another 50cm, bringing the total height to 80cm. The reinforcement work will cover vulnerable sections along more than 10km of the Chao Phraya River bank.

The municipality has identified the sections vulnerable to breaches based on an analysis of damage sustained during previous flooding. The strengthened barriers are intended to prevent floodwaters from entering residential areas.

Red flags have been raised to warn residents that river levels have reached a critical stage. Residents who are worried that their homes may be affected are advised to contact the municipality’s flood prevention operations centre at the old Nonthaburi City Hall near the pier.

Residents living along the Chao Phraya River were told to closely monitor the situation, move valuables and household belongings to higher ground and remain vigilant as water levels continue to rise.

(Photo: Nonthaburi Municipality)