Thai flooding worsens amid efforts to spare Bangkok
Pastor Dale Morgan
Thai flooding worsens amid efforts to spare Bangkok*
BANGKOK, Oct 11 (AFP) Oct 11, 2006
Severe flooding continued to wreak havoc across Thailand Wednesday, as
the country's revered king granted permission for flood waters to be
diverted onto his private land in a bid to spare Bangkok.
The Royal Irrigation Department said that since Monday, King Bhumibol
Adulyadej's vast land in central Ayutthaya province had been used to
help absorb the deluge before it could reach the capital.
Flooding caused by heavy rain in the wake of Typhoon Xangsane has killed
39 people since late August and has affected up to two million people in
46 provinces, mostly in central and northern Thailand.
By Wednesday, flooding had subsided in 29 provinces, but 17 provinces
including Bangkok were still in danger.
The capital saw some of its worst flooding this year late Tuesday, with
major roads turned into rivers and the dry streets gridlocked as people
tried to avoid the rising waters.
Ayutthaya has also been badly hit by floods, but following the king's
initiative, villagers there agreed to allow the authorities to divert
water onto their farmland as well to reduce the flood danger posed to
Bangkok.
"The move has remarkably reduced a large volume of overflow to the
capital," said Royal Irrigation Department director general Samart
Chokanapitak.
"Bangkok is expected to survive the critical period as high tide reaches
its peak in the coming few days."
Over 2,000 army officers have been called up to help flood-affected
residents in central Thailand amid worries that more heavy rains would
hit the region over the next few days.