Storm Nari brings heavy downpours to Bangkok

BANGKOK, October 16 (TNA) - Storm Nari caused persistent and heavy donwpours and floods in many areas of Bangkok on Wednesday morning, as the Meteorological Department predicted rain in 70 per cent of the capital's overall areas all day long, but the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) expressed its confidence in its flood drainage systems. Adisak Khantee, Director of the BMA's Department of Drainage and Sewerage, told journalists that Depression Nari has reached Thailand's Northeast and caused downpours in Bangkok since about 1am. Adisak acknowledged that the capital's eastern and northern areas were mostly affected by heavy downpours, namely Sai Mai, Don Muang, Khannayao, Min Buri and Prawet. As rain is likely to continue in Bangkok all day long, Adisak reported that the BMA has opened its sluice gates wider to accelerate drainage in local canals and is confident that its drainage facilities can handle the rainwater. According to the BMA's Flood Control Center, downpours have covered Bangkok's whole areas since 1am, with the highest amount of rainwater recorded at 97 millimeters at the Bung Khwang Lake in Min Buri district, followed by 90 millimeters in Klong Sam Wa district. The center noted that average rainwater was measured 80 millimeters in the capital and rainclouds were moving to Bangkok's suburban Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan provinces. Meanwhile, water now flows from upstream areas to Bangkok at the rate of 1,939 cubic meters per second and water from the Pasak River flows past the Rama VI Dam at the rate of over 600 cubic meters per second, raising, consequently, the levels of local canals, especially those in the eastern part of the capital. (TNA)