Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt is getting six high-capacity pumps from the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to help existing pumps drain the floodwater from the capital.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said on Tuesday that Mr Chadchart had phoned him on Monday to ask for help.
He said the ministry agreed to send six 30-inch water pumps to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). Four of the pumps would go to Phra Khanong pumping station on Tuesday afternoon and be installed immediately, Mr Varawut said.
Another pump was being installed in the Srinakharin-Bang Na area and was expected to start drainining water on Tuesday or Wednesday. The sixth pump would be sent on Sept 19, the minister said.
The six pumps were from regional offices and had high pumping capacities. If fully operated, the floodwater level in many areas of Bangkok would drop significantly, he said.
He would discuss with the Bangkok governor other measures to drain the water, which had to take high sea tides into consideration. The ministry would help the city administration combat flooding, he said.
The BMA and the ministry were working together in various ways, such as setting up a joint committees to tackle pollution, waste water and garbage management, to improve the quality of life of urban residents.
Mr Varawut said the flooding in Bangkok was triggered by local heavy rain, unlike the disastrous floods of 2011 which were caused by storm runoff from the North.
Northern runoff has already entered Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri and surrounding provinces. Efforts were being made to drain it into the Gulf of Thailand, Mr Varawut said.
