Bangkok's defenses hold as tide peaks
Source: Agencies |
October 30, 2011, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
DEFENSES shielding the center of Bangkok from the worst floods in nearly 60 years mostly held yesterday as coastal high tides hit their peak, but areas along the city's outskirts remained submerged along with much of the countryside.
Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said the floodwaters have started to recede after killing almost 400 people, submerging entire towns across the country's heartland and shuttering hundreds of factories over the last two months. She urged citizens to let the crisis take its course as the floodwaters slowly drain to the sea, with Bangkok lying in their path.
"We have the good news that the situation in the central region has improved as runoff water gradually decreased," she said. "I thank people and urge them to be more patient in case this weekend is significant because of the high tide."
Bangkok residents watched the city's dikes and sandbag barriers with wary eyes as the high tide pushing up the city's main waterway, the Chao Phraya River, from the Gulf of Thailand peaked just after 9am. They had been told for more than a week that yesterday's tide would be the greatest test the city's flood defenses had seen since the northern deluge first approached Bangkok more than three weeks ago.
While some water seeped through to douse streets and shops along the river, the tide fell short of the expected high and there was no major breach.
Higher than usual tides will also threaten the city today and tomorrow, but none were predicted to be as strong as the one yesterday morning.
Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said the floodwaters have started to recede after killing almost 400 people, submerging entire towns across the country's heartland and shuttering hundreds of factories over the last two months. She urged citizens to let the crisis take its course as the floodwaters slowly drain to the sea, with Bangkok lying in their path.
"We have the good news that the situation in the central region has improved as runoff water gradually decreased," she said. "I thank people and urge them to be more patient in case this weekend is significant because of the high tide."
Bangkok residents watched the city's dikes and sandbag barriers with wary eyes as the high tide pushing up the city's main waterway, the Chao Phraya River, from the Gulf of Thailand peaked just after 9am. They had been told for more than a week that yesterday's tide would be the greatest test the city's flood defenses had seen since the northern deluge first approached Bangkok more than three weeks ago.
While some water seeped through to douse streets and shops along the river, the tide fell short of the expected high and there was no major breach.
Higher than usual tides will also threaten the city today and tomorrow, but none were predicted to be as strong as the one yesterday morning.
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