Pathumthani Blocks Canal 12 Opening, Offers Canal 13 Alternative
Pathumthani authorities have declined to open the Canal 12 floodgate to relieve flooding in Ongkharak district, citing potential harm to Rangsit and Thanyaburi areas. Instead, they propose opening the Canal 13 floodgate by 10 cm to divert water into Klong 6 Wa. Around 100 villagers from Nakhon Nayok had protested the prolonged flooding, urging officials to act.
Recently at the Canal 13 floodgate in Sannan Rak subdistrict, Thanyaburi district, Nophadon Phonsere, Thanyaburi district chief assigned by the Pathumthani governor, met with Suchat Kirsak, representative of Ongkharak villagers. He proposed opening two leaves of the Canal 13 floodgate by about 10 cm. Villagers' representatives expressed satisfaction, wanting some drainage to lower water levels after prolonged flooding and foul smells. Nophadon explained that opening Canal 12 would increase water volume affecting Rangsit and Thanyaburi, which Pathumthani cannot allow; thus he proposed opening the Canal 13 gate instead to drain water via Klong Raphiphat into Klong 6 Wa.
