Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is getting ready for the rainy season by taking long and short-term steps in flood-prone areas.

As part of the measures, Narong Ruangsri, BMA’s deputy permanent secretary, met Prawet district officials on Monday to discuss what can be done to tackle flooding in the western district.

As an initial step, officials have been instructed to install water pumps in four flood-prone areas as well as set aside 3,000 sandbags for residents to use in case of bad flooding.

Prawet’s Drainage and Sewerage Department was also instructed to survey waterways and water-control facilities, as well as ensure all equipment, water pumps, water gates, etc, are in good working condition.

Construction companies have also been instructed to inspect their sites, especially those in flood-prone areas, and ensure they are not obstructing drains.

As for long-term measures, the BMA is getting flood levees built in areas that are often hit with floods. City Hall is also negotiating with landowners to use their plots as temporary water retention basins during the rainy season.