Three Ping Dams Doomed

[sbk]

Three Ping dams doomed

The Irrigation Department yesterday insisted on tearing down three traditional check dams on the Ping River in Chiang Mai despite strong opposition from locals and the human-rights watchdog.

Director-general Samart Choekhanaphitak unveiled the latest flood-prevention plan for the North to a meeting in Chiang Mai, saying it would focus on building an early-warning system and dredging and widening the river.

Director-general Samart Choekhanaphitak unveiled the latest flood-prevention plan for the North to a meeting in Chiang Mai, saying it would focus on building an early-warning system and dredging and widening the river.

"Our strategy includes reducing the water saved in nearby dams so they have the capacity to deal with floods. It's unlike the past strategy, which put priority on water storage to last for the whole dry season," he said.

In the long term the department will replace the three check dams with a sluice-gate system to make water control more convenient, he said.

The plan was condemned by representatives of local residents attending the meeting.

"We shouldn't try to solve the four days per year [when there is flooding] by allowing a large number of farmers to suffer from drought for eight months a year," a villager said.

Samart also lashed out at the recent criticism of the plan by the National Human Rights Commission, saying it was the suggestion of a one-sided organisation based on only human-rights aspects.

Meanwhile the weather bureau issued a warning of heavy rain until today across most of the country from the southwestern monsoon.

The department also declared eight provinces high-risk areas, Tak, Kanchanaburi, Phetburi, Ratchaburi, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat.

Kanchanaburi provincial official Chaiyo Rithirong said he had ordered all district offices to prepare for flash-floods and mudslides in the province and to report 24 hours a day.

Source: The Nation

[Mid]

"We shouldn't try to solve the four days per year [when there is flooding] by allowing a large number of farmers to suffer from drought for eight months a year," a villager said.

valid point

[drbill]

Any mention of what sections of the Ping are being considered for widening ? Does anyone know whom to contact for any information ?

[sbk]

Try the Irrigation dept, I guess. Its a pity the article didn't state where the dams were.

[Ajarn]

"We shouldn't try to solve the four days per year [when there is flooding] by allowing a large number of farmers to suffer from drought for eight months a year," a villager said.

valid point

To a point, maybe. But of the other families who suffer from the (longer than 4 days) flooding each year? I think you'll find that most othe 'others' are already among the poorest in the area. And what do the farmers give up in return for their convenience?

And when has the river ever dried up??

[Pantip]

The contractors are dredging the river so deep that in some places the banks are falling in complete with houses/shacks belonging to guess who – the poor of course. Plus the contractors are making a killing selling the sand. The river is going to flow so fast now from the upper reaches that flash flooding is even more inevitable in the city area.

[Ajarn]

The contractors are dredging the river so deep that in some places the banks are falling in complete with houses/shacks belonging to guess who – the poor of course. Plus the contractors are making a killing selling the sand. The river is going to flow so fast now from the upper reaches that flash flooding is even more inevitable in the city area.

I was watching them dredging out the sand one day, and I asked one of the drivers how much they sell the sand for.. He replied, "No, were not allowed to" and, "but no, we don't know where it goes from here"

[cmsally]

If it's in the Tesabahn area then it should have something to do with the Tesabahn, but don't forget old Tesabahn out and new can't work yet due to unfinished legal matters.

So go and ask the guys in green where the sand is going. If outside tesabahn the local OBJ should have some idea but might be out of their jurisdiction.

Also directly on the river , land titles don't give you up to the banks (can get dodgy because water courses change) there is always a gap between the title of the land and the river bank but this often varies. Then of course if you lose the river bank, well !!

[Gonzo the Face]

Food for thought

The Rama IX Bridge , is Rattana Kosin on the west side of the river and Doi Saket Road on the East Side.

On the North side of the bridge, where you see all the equipment and sand by the West bank, next to " West Side", they have been sucking and digging now for what must be close to two years.

On the south side of the bridge, I have never seen a scoop of sand taken out.

Must be one hellofa hole there, almost through all the way to ??? where is it here, can't be Chine

Maybe that guy who was looking for river sand last week bought it all and found a short cut.

Edited July 9, 2007 by Gonzo the Face