Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Thailand beefs up airport flood defences

Terra Daily: Thailand has bolstered flood defences at Bangkok's main airport and other areas as it works to shield the city of 12 million people from the worst inundation in decades, officials said Tuesday. Flood protection walls have been raised to a height of up to 3.5 metres (11.5 feet) at Suvarnabhumi, the country's main air hub, Airports of Thailand (AOT) acting director Somchai Sawasdipol told AFP.

He said the airport would continue to operate normally. "I am confident (that we can prevent floods at Suvarnabhumi) but we will not be careless," Somchai said, adding that the airport had two major water pumping stations and a 24-hour team to monitor the situation.

At least 269 people have died in more than two months of floods that have damaged the homes and livelihoods of millions of people, according to the government. More than 200 people have died in neighbouring Cambodia.

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra told a cabinet meeting that "the flood situation is serious, more than a tsunami because a tsunami comes and goes but floods last longer," government spokeswoman Titima Chaisaeng said....

Park at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok, shot by Mattes, public domain

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