BMA prepares for downpours next week

BANGKOK, Jan 14 (TNA) -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to closely monitor the weather condition, after the Meteorological Department had forecast that between January 15-17 the Thai capital would be heavy downpours. Bangkok Governor Pol Gen Aswin Kwanmuang said that Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paojinda has ordered the BMA to closely observe the weather condition and to be prepare for the coming downpours, which could occur on January 15-17, as forecast by the Meteorological Department. The governor said in preparation ahead of the predicted dates, he has ordered the Department of Drainage and Sewerage and all 50 district offices to monitor the weather and to strictly adhere to the flood prevention immediately when needed. Pol Gen Aswin said the measure to prevent the flooding is a 9-step procedure which include the monitoring of the situation, prepare equipment and water pumps to lower the water level in canals and drains, as well as coordination with concerned agencies and to inform the public periodically about the situation. The governor asked the public to be confident in the BMA, as it is fully prepared to handle the situation, while pleading to the public to help prevent flooding by not throwing away wastes into the sewers, river, and canals, as well as to look after their health as the weather continues to fluctuates. He noted that the BMA is also set to implement a measure to preserve the water quality in Bangkok canals by joining hands with the Royal Irrigation Department to create a circulation in the Lad Prao Canal by bringing in water flow from the Chao Phraya River to improve the water quality, stressing that the water circulation procedure would be carried out annually in a bit to increase the water quality in Bangkok canals. (TNA)