Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt says he will propose the building of a new "flood highway" at today's meeting of the National Water Resource Committee.
The project would allow run-off from eastern areas upstream of Bangkok to drain faster by channelling the water directly into the sea.
Speaking after Monday's meeting of the Tha Chin River Basin Committee, Mr Chadchart said that he wanted to improve the severe flood situation in Lat Krabang district in eastern Bangkok.
Initially, the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) had planned to widen Khlong Lam Pla Thiew, but the construction would have required land expropriation and an environmental impact assessment, both of which take time, Mr Chadchart said.
As for City Hall's plan, the flood highway would be built as a tunnel from Khlong Lam Pla Thiew that intersects with Khlong Prawet Burirom in Lat Krabang district allowing the run-off to drain into Khlong Roi Kew where the RID is responsible for handling water management.
"The project may cost in the region of 10 billion baht, but it would ease the severity of flooding and help boost economic expansion in eastern Bangkok," Mr Chadchart said.
He said the original idea to build a floodway may not be workable as the landscape of the area has changed considerably in recent times, with Bang Na-Trat Road and many buildings and houses making it difficult to construct an effective floodway.
Regarding the Meteorological Department's forecast of heavy rainfall this week, Mr Chadchart said City Hall is stepping up efforts to dredge canals and remove the hyacinth that is blocking many waterways to prepare for expected flooding in the coming days.
Director-general of the RID Prapis Chanma said two more hydroflow pumps had been installed at the Nang Hong water pumping station in tambon Khlong Dan of Bang Bo district in Samut Prakan province, in addition to the six pumps sent there last week.
Mr Prapis said that the Irrigation Department would continue providing assistance to areas affected by flooding until the situation returns to normal.
