'Worst is passed' for Bangkok flooding threat

Updated: 2011-10-19 09:31

(Xinhua)

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'Worst is passed' for Bangkok flooding threat

Soldiers help workers and civilians to evacuate from a flooded area at Nava Nakorn industrial estate in Pathum Thani province, suburb of Bangkok Oct 18, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]

BANGKOK - The most critical days of flood prevention for Bangkok, Thailand's capital, has passed, said a team of Chinese experts sent by the Chinese government to Thailand to help with flood relief.

The level of the Chao Phraya River has dropped from 2.29 meters to 2.1 meters. The greatest threat is relieved, Liang Jiazhi, deputy head of the Bureau of Hydrology, China's Ministry of Water Resources told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.

However, the authorities should keep on with flood control efforts. Water level will remain comparatively high for some time because the river is particularly slow in receding. Also another tide wave is expected to come late this month, Liang added.

The Chinese government sent a team of flood control and water management experts from the Ministry of Water Resources to Bangkok last Friday upon request of the Thai government.

Liu Ning, China's vice minister of water resources and head of the expert team, said, "serious flood threat to Bangkok still remains. We hope the flood can be defeated with efforts from all sides."

The team handed an advisory report to Thai flood control authorities after a rigorous investigation over the flood. The report included advices on how to control the flood at the moment, how to drain the water as soon as possible in the near future and how to manage water on Chao Phraya River in the long run, Liang said.

In nut shell, the report suggested Thai authorities to increase reservoir volume on the upreaches of the river, ensure smooth and fast water diversion and drainage in the middle and speed up water flow into the sea at the lower reaches, Liang said.

Senior Thai officials listen to the team's advices, including Pracha Promnok, Thailand's minister of justice, Theera Wongsamut, minister of agriculture and cooperatives and Anudith Nakornthap, minister of information and communication technology. They said the advices are will greatly benefit flood control works in Thailand.

A second batch of flood-relief resources, including clothes, tents, boats and water purifiers, donated by China will arrive in Thailand on Wednesday, Liu added. China has donated $1 million and resources worth of about $1.6 million for flood relief in Thailand.