Bangkok may escape Gaemi's worst

[MichelNL]

==Bangkok may not be as hard hit by rain as earlier expected since tropical storm Gaemi has been downgraded to a depression while passing overr Cambodia and will become a low pressure wedge on entering the country over Sa Kaeo province on Sunday night, Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said. ==

==MR Sukhumbhand said because of this, there might not be much rain in Bangkok in the next one or two days.

However, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration would continue to watch the situation and remain on full alert.

"City people can lead a normal life. They will be immediately informed if there is any change," he said.

Sanya Chinimit, director of the Drainage and Sewerage Department, said the BMA has drained water out of its canals in preparation for heavy rains.

Satellite photos showed that as of 1.20pm Sunday, Gaemi was moving in the direction of the Gulf of Thailand.  Therefore, it was believed Bangkok might not be directly affected by the storm.

However, the situation would continue to be watched closely, he said.

In another development, Wasant Meewon, the BMA spokesman, said about 100 sandbags which were found in the drain along Srinakharin Road in fact belonged to the Drainage and Sewerage Department of the BMA, not of any other agency.

They were laid there to prevent water from Khlong Hua Mak from flowing onto Srinakharin Road so that the water which inundated the road could be pumped into Khlong Kracha more quickly.

Therefore, the sandbags should not be removed, Mr Wasant said.  ==