Thailand’s monster flood visible from space

By The Nation

 

 

An Italian satellite orbiting high over Thailand has captured dramatic images of floods spreading over Sukhothai and Phitsanulok provinces.

 

Photos snapped by the COSMO Skymed-1 satellite show more than 125,000 rai of the two provinces is underwater after recent storms lashed the lower North.

 

In Sukhothai, the flood covers around 1,000 rai and has hit residents of six districts and 42 subdistricts. In Phitsanulok, water has submerged approximately 25,000 rai, inundating villages in three districts.

 

Most of the flooded areas are low-lying valleys and farmers’ fields.

 

Local officials have launched a water diversion operation, redirecting the floods into the water retention basins known as “monkey cheeks” initiated by His Majesty King Rama IX.

 

Farmers have been hit hard by the flooding, which has ravaged 14,000 rai of rice fields in Sukhothai and 2,000 rai in Phitsanulok.

 

GISTDA continues to monitor the country's water situation as part of flood control measures. The public can check the water situation in their local area at the websites http://flood.gistda.or.th or http://gmos.gistda.or.th/.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30393615

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-08-27

 

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Meanwhile in Pattaya...

 

But... but... Yingluck, is it as bad as Yinglucks flood yet ? ????

And in Hua Hin...

 

No picture of the largest reservoir in Isaan, UdonRat which is as dry as it has ever been since constructed ~65 years ago?

Monkey cheeks? Apparently Thailand has yet to discover actual floodplains. Here's a Dutch example:

 

 

The floodplain is where it says "uiterwaarden" (which sort of means designated areas in which a river can expand into). It's an area usually covered in grass for cows or it's 'nature' left alone. When the water level rises the water first expands into the floodplain before it floods anything else. Of course there are floodplains all along the riverbanks.

 

Because periods of drought are also increasing both in frequency and length the Dutch floodplains are under investigation as possible basins to retain the excess water so there's extra water in dry summers keeping the water level in the river above a certain minimum. I'm no engineer but it will be interesting to see what solutions they come up with.

 

Flooding is getting exceedingly rare in The Netherlands despite rising sea level and more frequent heavy rainfall. Too bad getting the message across to the people of Thailand is a tough cookie.

8 minutes ago, AgentSmith said:

Monkey cheeks? Apparently Thailand has yet to discover actual floodplains. Here's a Dutch example:

 

 

The floodplain is where it says "uiterwaarden" (which sort of means designated areas in which a river can expand into). It's an area usually covered in grass for cows or it's 'nature' left alone. When the water level rises the water first expands into the floodplain before it floods anything else. Of course there are floodplains all along the riverbanks.

 

Because periods of drought are also increasing both in frequency and length the Dutch floodplains are under investigation as possible basins to retain the excess water so there's extra water in dry summers keeping the water level in the river above a certain minimum. I'm no engineer but it will be interesting to see what solutions they come up with.

 

Flooding is getting exceedingly rare in The Netherlands despite rising sea level and more frequent heavy rainfall. Too bad getting the message across to the people of Thailand is a tough cookie.

 

flood and drought seem recurring predictable problems and little seems to be done the alleviate the problems by successive governments. maybe it's a daft idea but how about building reservoirs in areas with rain to support the drier areas? as happened in victorian times in the uk when haweswater reservoir was built in the lake district to provide water for mancheter. and how about getting dutch experts to help with flooding prevention?

12 hours ago, samsensam said:

 

flood and drought seem recurring predictable problems and little seems to be done the alleviate the problems by successive governments. maybe it's a daft idea but how about building reservoirs in areas with rain to support the drier areas? as happened in victorian times in the uk when haweswater reservoir was built in the lake district to provide water for mancheter. and how about getting dutch experts to help with flooding prevention?

TIT

This area floods nearly every year as long as it doesn't threaten Bangkok who cares!

Thailand's monster flood visible from space...really, nothing more important to put in the Nation?

12 hours ago, samsensam said:

 

flood and drought seem recurring predictable problems and little seems to be done the alleviate the problems by successive governments. maybe it's a daft idea but how about building reservoirs in areas with rain to support the drier areas? as happened in victorian times in the uk when haweswater reservoir was built in the lake district to provide water for mancheter. and how about getting dutch experts to help with flooding prevention?

Impossible here. Any empty grassed area will be covered in kon kai and tin shacks within a few days.

You call that a flood?  That ain't no flood.  Go hunt up a picture of the flooding in Thailand in 2011.  Now that's a flood!

12 hours ago, samsensam said:

 

flood and drought seem recurring predictable problems and little seems to be done the alleviate the problems by successive governments. maybe it's a daft idea but how about building reservoirs in areas with rain to support the drier areas? as happened in victorian times in the uk when haweswater reservoir was built in the lake district to provide water for mancheter. and how about getting dutch experts to help with flooding prevention?

 

12 hours ago, AgentSmith said:

Monkey cheeks? Apparently Thailand has yet to discover actual floodplains. Here's a Dutch example:

 

 

The floodplain is where it says "uiterwaarden" (which sort of means designated areas in which a river can expand into). It's an area usually covered in grass for cows or it's 'nature' left alone. When the water level rises the water first expands into the floodplain before it floods anything else. Of course there are floodplains all along the riverbanks.

 

Because periods of drought are also increasing both in frequency and length the Dutch floodplains are under investigation as possible basins to retain the excess water so there's extra water in dry summers keeping the water level in the river above a certain minimum. I'm no engineer but it will be interesting to see what solutions they come up with.

 

Flooding is getting exceedingly rare in The Netherlands despite rising sea level and more frequent heavy rainfall. Too bad getting the message across to the people of Thailand is a tough cookie.

Not saying the Dutch aren't smart, and not saying Thailand couldn't do much better, but the average annual rainfall in the Netherlands is 700mm, Thailand is 1,650mm, so more than twice as much and it falls in a more condensed timeframe, generally over five months and we often have weeks / months without a drop.

If Thailand had the NL's volume of water to deal with and the NL's rainfall pattern I doubt we would see flooding here.  And vice versa - dump Thailand's rain in Holland and see how it copes.

Almost everyone likes a bargain, and the traditional natural floodplains were perfect for doing the job until someone allegedly sees an opportunity to make a $,  the corrupt politician then spots an opportunity whenever a school or hospital is required to be built and then they manage to convince (by whatever means necessary) their fellow politicians to support the purchase of the land for said hospital or school, then housing is thrown up with everyone cashing in on selling the land around it. Then lo and behold the floodwater arrives, surprise not for the original seller of the land, as they knew historically that was not good land as occasionally it would be under water and may or may not get as good a harvest yield as the other much more valuable land that they didn't sell....

So where do the Dutch put their paddy fields?

Now we know why Thailand needs those submarines.

13 hours ago, AgentSmith said:

Monkey cheeks? Apparently Thailand has yet to discover actual floodplains. Here's a Dutch example:

 

 

The floodplain is where it says "uiterwaarden" (which sort of means designated areas in which a river can expand into). It's an area usually covered in grass for cows or it's 'nature' left alone. When the water level rises the water first expands into the floodplain before it floods anything else. Of course there are floodplains all along the riverbanks.

 

Because periods of drought are also increasing both in frequency and length the Dutch floodplains are under investigation as possible basins to retain the excess water so there's extra water in dry summers keeping the water level in the river above a certain minimum. I'm no engineer but it will be interesting to see what solutions they come up with.

 

Flooding is getting exceedingly rare in The Netherlands despite rising sea level and more frequent heavy rainfall. Too bad getting the message across to the people of Thailand is a tough cookie.

Maybe the Netherlands need to study His Majesty King Rama IX plans for "monkey Cheeks". The idea was to store the excess water for use later in drought conditions.

25 minutes ago, Old Croc said:

So where do the Dutch put their paddy fields?

They no doubt will reuse the tulip fields when the monsoon arrives . . . a long wait 

I guess.

Will the upcoming drought be visible from space?

51 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

Not saying the Dutch aren't smart, and not saying Thailand couldn't do much better, but the average annual rainfall in the Netherlands is 700mm, Thailand is 1,650mm, so more than twice as much and it falls in a more condensed timeframe, generally over five months and we often have weeks / months without a drop.

If Thailand had the NL's volume of water to deal with and the NL's rainfall pattern I doubt we would see flooding here.  And vice versa - dump Thailand's rain in Holland and see how it copes.

Around 70% from the rain in Thailand comes down in the south, especially the Andaman west coast area ( around 3500 mm ) so this changes the average a lot. In the north, average rainfall around 1100 mm, and it's there where the rivers are and the flooding keeps on occurring. Indeed, the rainfall in the Netherlands is more spread out, but most of the country and rivers are below sea level, so harder to flood away. Sure some Dutch river and flood management would make a difference in the North and Central Thailand. 

https://www.climatestotravel.com/climate/thailand#:~:text=Annual precipitation in the inland,part (August and September).

14 hours ago, AgentSmith said:

And in Hua Hin...

 

Had  plenty of rain  near Hua Hin the last 3 years more so than about 4  years  ago when it was  very dry for 2-3  years

46 minutes ago, Old Croc said:

So where do the Dutch put their paddy fields?

Ireland?

13 hours ago, samsensam said:

 

flood and drought seem recurring predictable problems and little seems to be done the alleviate the problems by successive governments. maybe it's a daft idea but how about building reservoirs in areas with rain to support the drier areas? as happened in victorian times in the uk when haweswater reservoir was built in the lake district to provide water for mancheter. and how about getting dutch experts to help with flooding prevention?

There is no place here for sensible measures that do not line people's pockets with public cash.  Move along, and good day sir! 

Big question is "how many whales is it?"

Hmm...seems like those submarines might come in handy.

 

"Paddy Crab Sighted 100 meters astern, load torpedo tubes 1 and 3"

1 hour ago, Crusader said:

Thailand's monster flood visible from space...really, nothing more important to put in the Nation?

They were gonna put up a pic of Uranus, but thought better of it.

 

????

14 hours ago, AgentSmith said:

Monkey cheeks? Apparently Thailand has yet to discover actual floodplains. Here's a Dutch example:

Thailand has natural floodplains, problem is people build on them then complain when it floods.

There is no-medication or cure for stupidity.

1 hour ago, Crusader said:

Thailand's monster flood visible from space...really, nothing more important to put in the Nation?

Better than reading more T.A.T rubbish

1 hour ago, 8OA8 said:

Almost everyone likes a bargain, and the traditional natural floodplains were perfect for doing the job until someone allegedly sees an opportunity to make a $,  the corrupt politician then spots an opportunity whenever a school or hospital is required to be built and then they manage to convince (by whatever means necessary) their fellow politicians to support the purchase of the land for said hospital or school, then housing is thrown up with everyone cashing in on selling the land around it. Then lo and behold the floodwater arrives, surprise not for the original seller of the land, as they knew historically that was not good land as occasionally it would be under water and may or may not get as good a harvest yield as the other much more valuable land that they didn't sell....

You forgot the part, where politicians buy up the surrounding land, before the developing plans have been announced.

1 hour ago, josephbloggs said:

 

Not saying the Dutch aren't smart, and not saying Thailand couldn't do much better, but the average annual rainfall in the Netherlands is 700mm, Thailand is 1,650mm, so more than twice as much and it falls in a more condensed timeframe, generally over five months and we often have weeks / months without a drop.

If Thailand had the NL's volume of water to deal with and the NL's rainfall pattern I doubt we would see flooding here.  And vice versa - dump Thailand's rain in Holland and see how it copes.

Thank you for at least entertaining the possibility that the Dutch are smart. The danger of floods in the Netherlands is generally not related to the local rainfall, most of the flooding is caused by the country essentially being an estuary, that receives water from upstream countries. Afterall, it is only a very small country. Thailand is more or less a single river basin congregating most rainfall into the Chao Praya. Average rainfall in Thailand and the period in which it falls is more of a factor affecting flood in Thailand than it is in the Netherlands. Still the system pictured would work in Thailand from a technnical point of view, just a matter of scaling it up. The lack of compliance with regulations and pervasive corruption in Thailand would work against it.