Number of high-risk areas doubles in seven years

By The Nation

Along with very high levels of floodwaters, there is the added risk of mud and landslides in 6,450 villages in 51 provinces, more than twice the number cited seven years ago.

The Department of Mineral Resources released the new figures yesterday and issued warnings about mud and landslides in many Southern provinces, especially Nakhon Si Thammarat, which it has put on the disaster watchlist.

Inspector-general Atichart Surinkham said the key reason to the mudslides was heavy industrial dredging of mountainsides and the growing of trees, especially rubber, along the slopes.

He did not explain why the watchlist was not released earlier when a large part of the country was flooded. The other provinces included in the watchlist are Nan and Chiang Rai, where high-risk areas have increased by 40 to 50 per cent. For instance, the latest fissures in Chiang Rai’s Doi Mae Salong area might be signs of major landslides in the near future, he warned.

The official number of flood-related deaths has hit 185, while 3.16 million people in 217 districts in 30 provinces are badly affected.

Heavy flooding is expected to last another 20 days in Surat Thani’s Phunphin district, the district office’s relief division said. Around 700 people in 250 households in tambon Tha Sathon are isolated by flooding, but are being provided with relief supplies.

The government’s flood relief centre said flash floods and mudslides were a strong possibility in the Southern provinces of Chumphon, Surat Thani, Phatthalung, Krabi and Trang, where heavy rain is likely to hit 70 per cent of the total area.

The flooding in the Central region has improved because the runoffs from the North have eased, though six provinces, which the Chao Phraya River runs through, are suffering from stagnant water, the centre said.

Meanwhile, the ever-brimming Mool and Chi Rivers are threatening submerge Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Maha Sarakham, Khon Kaen, Yasothon and Roi Et.

PM’s Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey said flood victims needed immediate financial aid, dismissing a warning from the Government Savings Bank that the names put forward could be fabricated.

“If we need to verify all the 630,000 names, the payments would not be made until after the New Year,” he said, adding that a local checking mechanism was being put in place to minimise corruption.

-- The Nation 2010-11-11

Govt to spend Bt840 million to improve drainage system on Samui

Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwankhiri said Thursday that the government will spend Bt840 million to improve drainage system on the popular tourist destination Samui Island.

He said the improvement, which will be done next year, will prevent flooding on Samui for 20 years.

The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/Govt-to-spend-Bt840-million-to-improve-drainage-sy-30142015.html

What's so special about Samui? and I wonder who's going to get the contract?