Fresh Water Running Dry

[george]

TSUNAMI CATASTROPHE AFTERMATH

Fresh water running dry

- Thailand toll tops 1,800, regional deaths now 82,000

- Churned up sediment threatening coral reefs

- Health officials warn disease the next menace

Freshwater shortages caused by sea water contamination of underground and surface sources threaten more suffering in tidal wave-hit areas.

Natural Resources and Environment Ministry permanent secretary Petipong Pungbun na Ayutthaya said staff were inspecting damage caused by Sunday's tidal waves and trying to quickly repair vital water systems.

"Salty water, mud and sand are covering every square inch of these areas. Recovering the freshwater sources, vegetation, soil and the fragile terrestrial ecosystem from the salty mud covering it all is a vital task," said Mr Petipong.

The latest problem emerged as the confirmed death toll in Thailand from Sunday's tsunamis rose to 1,829, with 9,754 injuries and 5,288 reported missing, according to figures released late last night by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.

Throughout the Indian Ocean region, the confirmed toll soared to 81,956 yesterday, with aid workers predicting it would top 100,000.

Military teams reaching the west coast of Indonesia's Sumatra island for the first time reported scenes of total devastation.

"We're facing a disaster of unprecedented proportion in nature," said Simon Missiri, Asia-Pacific chief at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The head of operations, Peter Rees, said: "I would not be at all surprised if we are over 100,000 dead, particularly when we see what has happened in the Andaman and Nicobar islands."

In Thailand, a rehabilitation effort for marine national parks devastated by the tidal waves is underway, focusing on the recovery of surface and groundwater sources and collection of hazardous waste scattered by the sea surge.

Mr Petipong said volunteer divers would also be sent to retrieve debris covering coral reefs. All told, 12 marine national parks had been severely damaged.

"It will take anywhere from three to 15 years for these ruined marine national parks, which have attracted more than 40% of foreign tourists visiting the country each year, to recover," he said.

Groundwater Department chief Sanong Chantanintorn said new ponds would be established in nearby unaffected areas to supply locals with fresh water.

"We have to find new freshwater sources as soon as possible because rainfall will be scarce beginning next month when the dry season reaches its peak," he said.

Authorities were also concerned about the massive amount of untreated municipal wastewater being discharged from the Phuket community of Patong into the Andaman Sea. The town's water treatment plant has been unable to treat its normal 10,000 cubic metres of wastewater each day since Sunday as the pump and regulator controls were destroyed. Many wastewater ponds were also flooded.

"There is salty water everywhere. The sea just surged into the ponds," said municipal official Banjobe Gualua.

The municipality could do nothing but wait for help because there were no experts available to do the repairs. As a result household wastewater was flowing directly into canals and the sea.

"The most urgent job right now is to clear debris and rubble in the area," Mr Suchai said.

An initial assessment by the department has found that sediment carried ashore by the giant waves and stirred up at sea, could have a devastating impact on coral reefs and other marine life.

Meanwhile, the Public Health Ministry has warned of the possibility of disease in the tsunami-ravaged provinces.

Spokesman Nittaya Mahapol said the six provinces had been declared disease-control areas.

She said people were at risk of contracting diseases of the digestive system, dysentery, cholera and typhoid if they consumed unclean food and water.

Respiratory ailments also posed a problem, while damaged roads and infrastructure posed the danger of accidents.

The ministry also issued warnings about the threat of conjunctivitis and mosquito-transmitted diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.

--Bangkok Post 2004-12-30