Bangkok Governor: Flooded Canals, Not Blocked Pipes, Are the Problem
Bangkok's governor says heavy rainfall exceeding 150mm in 24 hours has overwhelmed canal capacity rather than created pipe blockages, with authorities running pumps at full capacity on the city's east side to manage overflow into residentia
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt visited flood-affected areas on the east side of Bangkok on September 25, inspecting drainage operations at Khlong Praves Buri Rom in Suan Luang district and Bueng Nong Bon. He instructed the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's drainage office and related agencies to intensify water management at full capacity.
Chadchart noted that rainfall in some areas exceeded 150 millimeters over the past 24 hours, with continuous rain causing canals throughout the region to reach full capacity and overflow into surrounding areas. Bangkok officials have activated pumps and drainage operations at multiple points, but the volume of rainfall exceeds the drainage capacity of the canals, requiring time to gradually release the water.
"We're doing our best. Fighting nature has its limits, but we're trying everything we can," Chadchart said.
During his visit to Bueng Nong Bon, he ordered staff to intensify debris and obstruction removal from waterways, accelerate water intake channels to draw more water from canals into the marsh, and prepare additional mobile pumps to reinforce drainage at critical points.
"The main problem right now isn't blocked pipes—water flows from the pipes into the canals. But when the canals are full, the water can't flow further. We need to urgently drain water out of the canals. We'll likely continue operations all night because rain is expected to continue," Chadchart said, adding that authorities will accelerate pumping and drainage efforts to the maximum if rainfall lets up.
Bangkok officials urged residents to monitor rainfall and traffic conditions closely, plan travel carefully, and return home before heavy evening rainfall if possible. Those living along canals are advised to monitor water levels and move belongings to higher ground.
