Monitor lizards are very common in Thailand
A stray monitor lizard is responsible for causing widespread flooding in a district of Bangkok, Thailand. The Bang Khen district was also recently hit by heavy rain. The monitor lizard disrupted a large water pump that prevented it from pumping out the flood water during the heavy rainfall. A repair team was dispatched and found the monitor lizard stuck in one of the water pumps, halting the work.
Bangkok has a huge and extensive drainage system with a water pump network. These water pumps usually have mesh to prevent these reptiles from entering, but smaller members of the species can get through.
Speaking with the bangkok post Rujira Mahaprom, a specialist at Save Wildlife Thailand, said: “Monitor lizards can often be found around water. Someone may have entered the pump looking for a place or shelter. The animals find easy passage in Bangkok’s extensive water drainage network.”
He added: “It is not an easy task to prevent monitor lizards from getting into the pumps”
The water level in the district had risen considerably due to the increase in traffic due to flooding.
According to Thai PBS World Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has personally inspected the drainage system in Bang Khen district and instructed government officials to ensure that the pumps are in working condition and operational 24 hours a day.
Monitor lizards are very common in Thailand, with a video going viral a few months ago of an unnamed woman screaming in her chair after seeing the reptile on the ground.
