Governor orders evacuation in two more Bangkok's localities

BANGKOK, November 9 (TNA) - Bangkok Governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra on Wednesday ordered evacuation of people in two more localities, including Ramintra and Khu Bon Sub-districts of the capital's Kannayao District and a close watch for people in Lat Phrao Sub-district due to approaching inundations. M.R. Sukhumbhand said, however, that he foresaw water levels of the main Chao Phraya River will not pose any problem on Thursday and flooding has started receding in many areas, including Bang Phlad from the Rama VII Bridge to Yanhee Hospital, where small vehicles can pass now, as well as Don Mueang and Laksi Districts, by 15-25 centimetres. The governor acknowledged that Bangkok will be, nonetheless, receiving over 100 million cubic metres of upstream run-offs daily in the coming days, as there are three empty sections of a line of large sandbags, known as "big bags", in the city's northern side and flooding has kept expanding to many areas, including Kannayao, Saphan Sung, Thon Buri and Bang Khun Thian Districts. The Bangkok governor reported that the Chao Phraya River peaked at 1.98 metres above the mean sea level on Tuesday and at 2.05 metres at 6am on Wednesday; while Thursday’s peak should be close to Wednesday’s level. In another development, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), has hired private companies to collect garbage in flooded areas under a 30-day contract, starting on Thursday in 18 districts. (TNA)