Here we go again! A
relatively small bit of mango rains last week caused big flooding
throughout town, catching City Hall off guard. One can only hope the
recent floods are a blessing in disguise in that this will prompt City
Hall to clean out the storm drains before the real rainy season hits.
Boonlua Chatree
Unaccustomed to rain this time of year, Pattaya
residents were caught in unexpected flooding in South Pattaya, showing
that, despite months of dry weather, Pattaya City Hall has done nothing
to alleviate storm-drainage problems.
As usual, it took as little as two hours of steady,
but not torrential, rain to paralyze the intersection of South and
Sukhumvit roads with a meter of water.
Both lanes were inundated with water springing up
from the drainage pipes, which couldn’t release water into the sea fast
enough. Water flooded roads and surrounding homes and damaged many cars
and motorcycles.
Problems also surfaced in the usual spots in downtown
Pattaya, from Second Road near Soi 11 & 12 and Third Road. The
Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation rushed in water pumps,
but to little result.
The episode was a nasty reminder of the weeks of
flooding Pattaya incurred during the rainy season and promises made by
city officials to clean out drains and improve on a dismal record of
flood relief. While skies have been clear nearly every day since early
November, apparently nothing has been done to clear the drains.
