Trading estates prepared to ward off impending floods
text size

Trading estates prepared to ward off impending floods

A sign, showing the 2011 flood level, put on a concrete dyke built to protect Bang Pa-in Industrial Estate in Ayutthaya province. CHANAT KATANYU
A sign, showing the 2011 flood level, put on a concrete dyke built to protect Bang Pa-in Industrial Estate in Ayutthaya province. CHANAT KATANYU

The industrial sector is bracing for floods over the next several weeks and is relying on major reservoirs and flood prevention measures to safeguard industrial parks.

The Meteorological Department has warned that a low-pressure system will hit several regions of Thailand.

"This weather pattern is expected to bring heavy rains and even torrential downpours to the northern, northeastern and western regions," the department said in its weekly weather forecast.

"These heavy rain during this week and over the next several weeks will cause floods and flash floods in the affected regions."

Heavy rains and flash floods from the north and the northeast are expected to push excessive water along major rivers to the central region of Thailand, which houses several Thai industrial estates.

Severe flooding in 2011 inundated major industrial parks, causing tens of billions of dollars in economic damage.

Floodwaters have come to some low-lying areas in the central region such as Pathum Thani, Suphan Buri and Ayutthaya, destroying crops and disrupting transport.

But the industrial sector has said it is well prepared for the incoming floods.

Veerapong Chaiperm, governor of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, said the IEAT and other related authorities have a plan to deal with the excessive water.

He said the Royal Irrigation Department has been monitoring the situation closely and is using a water irrigation system at the estuary of the Chao Phraya river to release excessive water when the tide is ebbing.

"That has helped reduce pressure from excessive water that would otherwise overwhelm the Chao Phraya River, destroying crops and causing floods in urban areas," he said.

A long concrete wall built to protect Bang Pa-in Industrial Estate in Ayutthaya from possible floods. CHANAT KATANYU

In addition, major reservoirs in the northern region should help contain a certain amount of water and prevent major flooding in the central area, he said.

"What we are most concerned about are the industrial parks in Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya and Samut Prakan provinces," added Mr Veerapong.

He said the IEAT has installed a seven-kilometre long movable dyke to protect industrial parks in low-lying areas, which suffered the worst from the 2011 floods.

"With these preparations, I am confident that there will not be flooding like what we saw in 2011," said Mr Veerapong.

Meanwhile, Amara Charoengitwattangun, the director of SET-listed industrial land developer Rojana Industrial Park Plc in Ayutthaya, said the park has been providing regular updates to ensure its customers that the situation regarding the anticipated floods is under control.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT