Experts study flood solutions

Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute says the UNESCO World Heritage Park in Sukhothai urgently needs a water management plan to protect it against future floods. The institute director, Royol Jitdon, said the HAII is working on a 3D model of Sukhothai for urban-flood management in collaboration with UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education. “Sukhothai has old-town characteristics therefore it is difficult to handle flood water efficiently.” “The water-management challenge in Sukhothai requires a fully workable model for the province, which may take a few years, but could be the first step in preparing urban-flood-management models for historical sites in other provinces.” Cameras are mounted on vehicles driving around the town to get a panoramic view and sensors can determine the distance between the vehicles and buildings along the way. “The 3D images from various angles can be assembled to create a model that will determine water flow and how far flood water will spread helping experts build a water and flood management plan,” the director said. If the move is successful, it might eliminate the need to construct the controversial Kaeng Suea Ten Dam on the Yom River, he said. The institute has also developed seven models including a weather research and forecasting model to improve water and flood management in the country. HAII has worked with many organisations including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to create useful applications. “This year, we spent Bt582 million on developing the national database. It will help in analysing information and making necessary preparations for flood prevention.” Floods hit the province last month, but the situation has returned to normal after leaks in the  Yom River embankment were closed by rock and  sand bag barriers. Most of the damage occurred in Sukhothai town itself, which is some distance from the historical park and resort hotels that serve visitors to the area. Meanwhile, Fine Arts Department will seek Bt169.7 million to restore Bangkok’s Temple of Dawn that suffered damage in the 2011 flood including seepage from the river that damaged foundations. The department’s Archaeology Office head, Tharapong Srisuchart, said  Bt130 million would go to restoration of the riverside landmark’s large stupas, while Bt39.7 million was needed to restore two much-deteriorated small stupas and two pyramid-roofed square halls.