BMA prepares for Tropical Storm Mujigae

BANGKOK, Oct 3 (TNA) -- Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is on alert by keeping waterpumps and have its officials standby as heavy rain was expected while Tropical Storm Mujigae hit China and Vietnam this weekend, said BMA deputy governor Amorn Kitchawengkul on Saturday. Mr Amorn made his remarks while inspecting BMA officials pumping floodwater from Bangkok’s Ratchadapisek Road which has been heavily flooded since Friday afternoon. Vehicles could move slowly because several parts of the road are inundated. Traffic in the Thai capital came virtually standstill after a heavy downpour until late Friday. Rain stopped in the afternoon but resumed early Saturday, causing several low-lying areas in the capital to be flooded. Mr Amorn said BMA officials would be able to drain floodwater which is expected to be brought by heavy rain between this Sunday to Tuesday within a few hours on the condition that the amount of rain does not exceed 60 mm. He said construction of a large underground tunnel to be used for draining water would complete in about one year’s time. Draining floodwater from Bangkok’s Lat Prao area will now have to be absorbed by a canal in the area and then to Chao Phraya River for the time being. Tropical Storm Mujigae has devastated northern Philippines earlier and is now moving toward southern China, including Hainan Island. Among the cities that are being put on alert for potential impacts later this weekend or early next week include Zhenjiang and Haikou, China, and Hai Phong and Hanoi, Vietnam. Rainfall of 100-200 mm (4-8 inches) is expected from near the border of Vietnam and China through Guangxi and western Guangdong provinces. (TNA)