Disaster Zones Imposed In South Of Thailand After Flooding

[Lite Beer]

Disaster zones imposed in South after flooding

By The Nation on Sunday.

Southern Thailand is suffering from downpour-triggered floods, with all 16 of Nakhon Si Thammarat's districts, eight of Phattalung's districts, and three of Chumphon's districts declared disaster zones yesterday.

In response, the government will open a flood situation follow-through centre at Government House this morning

PM Abhisit Vejjavija said that he had instructed Sathit Wongnongtaey of the PM's Office to coordinate with the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DPMD) to assist flood victims in the South, especially in hard-hit Nakhon Si Thammarat and that he himself would visit the National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC) today to check disaster warning systems.

Sathit, who chairs the committee following up assistance for flood victims, said that the committee had started working from the beginning and related agencies such as DPMD, NDWC and theMeteorological Department had reported on the situation directly to the prime minister. However since the situation became more and more severe, a flood situation follow-through centre will be opened today at 11am at the Government House. He also commented that, besides the committee's report of flood situation and assistance, the Cabinet meeting tomorrow will table the idea of setting up a central coordinating center to warn the public of disasters and assist victims.

In Nakhon Si Thammarat, the bodies of two Buddhist monks who were reported missing in a landslide-hit area of Khanom district were discovered. And 60 tourists were marooned in the popular Nam Priwan Resort in Nopphitam district.

At Nakhon Si Thammarat, where all district were declared disaster zones and flood conditions extended due to ongoing heavy rainfalls, a road linking the province to Surat Thani was damaged and several cars were reported to be swept off the road. The Nakhon Si Thammarat-Thung Song Road was also impassable due to floodwater Officials on 38 flat-bottom boats were dispatched to evacuate at-risk residents to safer grounds.

The bodies of Phra Pattaraporn Jirawara and Phra Apichat Akhathammo, who meditated in the wooded area of Bang Nai Plao in Khanom district and were apparently caught in a landslide, were discovered yesterday about 100 meters away from their original camping spot.

Phattalung yesterday declared its Muang, Kuan Khanoon, Kongra, Srinakarin, Pa Payom, Khao Chai Son, Sri Banphot and Bang Kaew districts as disaster zones. The situation was particularly severe in Muang and Kuan Khanon, where a total of some 8,000 households and 45,000 rai of farmland were under deep floodwater. Chumphon's Mungam Lang Suab and Sawi districts were also declared disaster zones.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department's southern region office continued to warn people on the southeastern coast. especially those in Phattalung, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani and Chumphon, of heavy downpours until tomorrow as well as possible flash floods and landslides. Small fishing boats were also urged to remain on shore due to strong winds and 2-3 meter-high waves during this period.

In related news, 150 homes of 1,200 people in 10 tambons of Trang's Muang, Na Yong, Huai Yod and Wang Wiset districts were flooded yesterday, while many areas of Surat Thani were flooded, especially the low-laying Kanchanadit district. The district is now under 50cm-deep water and at-risk residents have been evacuated.

The continuous rainfall prompted Ranong to have its seacoast residents to move their belongings to higher grounds for fear of flooding condition from rising tides. They also watched out for landslides.

-- The Nation 2011-03-27

[Lite Beer]

Nok Air cancels all BKK-Nakhon Si Thammarat flights today due to heavy flooding at Nakhon Si Thammarat airport/RT@TAN_Network

[animatic]

Samui is pretty well hit, with flooding becoming an issue.

[grumpyoldman]

Samui is pretty well hit, with flooding becoming an issue.

Rained all day in Phuket yesterday, but seems to be running off or soaking in o.k.

Light rain this morning.

[hkt83100]

Just look at the pictures and admire the Thai masterpiece of road construction. No wonder what is causing all these fabulous potholes around the country.

[sbk]

Just look at the pictures and admire the Thai masterpiece of road construction. No wonder what is causing all these fabulous potholes around the country.

Curious if you have ever been in the South when the really heavy rain hits? Flash flooding is extremely common when the downpours are extremely heavy and last for an hour or more.

[blazes]

Just look at the pictures and admire the Thai masterpiece of road construction. No wonder what is causing all these fabulous potholes around the country.

I am not a road engineer, so would appreciate (seriously) a more detailed critique of what is visible in the picture. In other words, what do you see as the main problem there?

[animatic]

Just look at the pictures and admire the Thai masterpiece of road construction. No wonder what is causing all these fabulous potholes around the country.

Curious if you have ever been in the South when the really heavy rain hits? Flash flooding is extremely common when the downpours are extremely heavy and last for an hour or more.

Well the next few days don't look good.

http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=208464

SBK this should have relevance for you also, it is pretty accurate from the south eastern perspective, less so from the west

[animatic]

Just look at the pictures and admire the Thai masterpiece of road construction. No wonder what is causing all these fabulous potholes around the country.

I am not a road engineer, so would appreciate (seriously) a more detailed critique of what is visible in the picture. In other words, what do you see as the main problem there?

This looks like flooding runoff coming around a building placed in it's natural path, without drainage redirect built in, and undermining and removing 1-2 meters of a road next to the building. I don't think the road construction is as much the issue as the inadequate and thoughtless way buildings are just placed willy nilly here, with no consideration of natures regular functions.

Edited March 27, 2011 by animatic

[blazes]

Just look at the pictures and admire the Thai masterpiece of road construction. No wonder what is causing all these fabulous potholes around the country.

I am not a road engineer, so would appreciate (seriously) a more detailed critique of what is visible in the picture. In other words, what do you see as the main problem there?

This looks like flooding runoff coming around a building placed in it's natural path, without drainage redirect built in, and undermining and removing 1-2 meters of a road next to the building. I don't think the road construction is as much the issue as the inadequate and thoughtless way buildings are just placed willy nilly here, with no consideration of natures regular functions.

Thanks. Good answer.

[Kipsie]

I live 50mtr away from the picture shown of the damaged bridge in Nai Phlao. At 5.50am yesterday the river was in full spate but had not burst it's banks, at 6am it had .What followed was a massive surge of water which flooded onto the road and then into the river, plus the river itself rose dramatically above the bridge. A build up of debris made matters worse and at about 9am the road started to subside. Eventually one section of the bridge collapsed completely on both sides. About two hours later when the river had gone down considerably and the cloud had lifted from the mountainside, we could see that a massive landslide of approx 300-400 rai had occurred .

After another night (from 8pm - 9am this morning, Sunday) of torrential rain we have experienced worse flooding than yesterday. At 3.30am there was flooding approx 1 mtr above road level outside of our house which fortunately is built on a raised piece of land. This weather is far far worse than anything I have experienced during monsoon season here in the Gulf of Thailand during the past 9 years and my Thai neighbours who are a local family say they have never seen weather like it in their lifetime but over 100 years ago there was. I don't know where they get their information from but I can assure you it's pretty scary. And fingers crossed we have seen the last of it.

I'm sure a lot of questions can be asked about all kinds of construction. I am amazed by what they do myself.

[Kipsie]

Just look at the pictures and admire the Thai masterpiece of road construction. No wonder what is causing all these fabulous potholes around the country.

I am not a road engineer, so would appreciate (seriously) a more detailed critique of what is visible in the picture. In other words, what do you see as the main problem there?

This looks like flooding runoff coming around a building placed in it's natural path, without drainage redirect built in, and undermining and removing 1-2 meters of a road next to the building. I don't think the road construction is as much the issue as the inadequate and thoughtless way buildings are just placed willy nilly here, with no consideration of natures regular functions.

Thanks. Good answer.

The building to the right is new and the re-coursing of the river has been a problem all the way through construction.Do they need planning permission? ..... or is that a stupid question?

[asiawatcher]

Just look at the pictures and admire the Thai masterpiece of road construction. No wonder what is causing all these fabulous potholes around the country.

Exactly... the 'skin' called a 'road' on the soft mud, minimal road base, and then a plastic pipe for whatever reason? I would leave it as a disaster zone, and rebuild properly but I doubt that will ever happen.

Edited March 27, 2011 by asiawatcher

[animatic]

quote hkt83100 '1301196156'

Just look at the pictures and admire the Thai masterpiece of road construction. No wonder what is causing all these fabulous potholes around the country.

I am not a road engineer, so would appreciate (seriously) a more detailed critique of what is visible in the picture. In other words, what do you see as the main problem there?

This looks like flooding runoff coming around a building placed in it's natural path, without drainage redirect built in, and undermining and removing 1-2 meters of a road next to the building. I don't think the road construction is as much the issue as the inadequate and thoughtless way buildings are just placed willy nilly here, with no consideration of natures regular functions.

Thanks. Good answer.

The building to the right is new and the re-coursing of the river has been a problem all the way through construction.Do they need planning permission? ..... or is that a stupid question?

Kipsie thank you for confirming my observations.

I did note that building looked quite new, nice bright bricks etc.

The plastic pipe is no doubt a water run off from roof or some such, from the new building under it's sidewalk and into the river.

It is an endemic problem in Thailand. Where once houses and many buildings were built on stilts, and also out of the wetlands egress-ways, now they are ground level and solidly built, but possibly by people who historically have little experience with water run-off issues since until recently most houses were elevated. And also land in some areas is becoming more scarce and people tend to go where they think their purchase will profit them most.

Edited March 27, 2011 by animatic

[krading]

Just 'buy' a permit

[Lite Beer]

DDPM announced 47 drought-affected provinces and 5 provinces in the South under severe floods

BANGKOK, MARCH 27 2011 (NNT)- The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Vibul Sanguanpong announced drought in 47 provinces and severely inundated 5 in the South, with Nakhon Si Thammarat the most affected, causing damages to over 27,315 households.

Mr.Vibul reported on drought situation that there were areas declared disaster zone covering 17 provinces in the North, 15 provinces in the Northeast, 5 in the Central plains, 7 in the East and 3 in the South.

As for flooding in the South, since 23 March there has been a prolonged heavy rainfall causing flash floods in many provinces, with 27,315 households damaged, affecting 61,568 people in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Surat Thani, Trang and 3 people were found dead in Chumphon province.

Meanwhile, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has sent authorities to render preliminary assistance and continuously monitor the situation closely.

-- NNT 2011-03-27

[Lite Beer]

4 villagers in Chumphon province swept away by flash flood water/RT@TAN_Network

[SICHONSTEVE]

I live 50mtr away from the picture shown of the damaged bridge in Nai Phlao. At 5.50am yesterday the river was in full spate but had not burst it's banks, at 6am it had .What followed was a massive surge of water which flooded onto the road and then into the river, plus the river itself rose dramatically above the bridge. A build up of debris made matters worse and at about 9am the road started to subside. Eventually one section of the bridge collapsed completely on both sides. About two hours later when the river had gone down considerably and the cloud had lifted from the mountainside, we could see that a massive landslide of approx 300-400 rai had occurred .

After another night (from 8pm - 9am this morning, Sunday) of torrential rain we have experienced worse flooding than yesterday. At 3.30am there was flooding approx 1 mtr above road level outside of our house which fortunately is built on a raised piece of land. This weather is far far worse than anything I have experienced during monsoon season here in the Gulf of Thailand during the past 9 years and my Thai neighbours who are a local family say they have never seen weather like it in their lifetime but over 100 years ago there was. I don't know where they get their information from but I can assure you it's pretty scary. And fingers crossed we have seen the last of it.

I'm sure a lot of questions can be asked about all kinds of construction. I am amazed by what they do myself.

My wife and I are school owners in Sichon and fortunately, like you, we built our house and school 30 cm's above the road level so will never suffer from floods as the surrounding fields are 1.5 - 2 metres below our land making us safe (we needed 8,000 tons of soil from the mountain to raise it to this level taking 10 days ( 3 trucks and 1 macro were working non-stop)).

My mother is due to fly back to England from Surat Thani via Bangkok on Tuesday and we are concerned that the road (in Kanchanadit) is flooded and impassable at the moment so a mini panic has set in. The rain has been very sparse and spasmodic so far today and hopefully if it is similar tomorrow then the water level can fall and recede. If anyone has any info on how things are in Kanchanadit then We'd appreciate it if they could enlighten us on how things are going!! We are going to attempt, tomorrow morning, to make our way to Surat Thani, stay overnight in a hotel and then on to the airport on Tuesday and are keeping our fingers (and everything else) crossed that everything will be fine.

I can understand your concern Kipsie as we witnessed the floods earlier in the year all around this area and went to see Abhisit in Khanom when he flew in for a pep-talk to those hit badly - he is supposedly going to make a second visit soon we understand. I hear that he landslides are considerably worse this time round - claiming the lives of 2 monks (phra) in the process. What really surprises me is that the first floods were in the rainy season but these are in the so called dry season. This weather is supposed to have come from China and met up with hot air from Thailand which has resulted in this flood disaster.

Anyway, we hope that this bizarre weather will pass soon to alleviate the misery it is causing.

[markwhite]

I live in Tha Sala about 30km north of Nakhon town. A couple of years ago we had constant rain for 3 weeks and we were about 0.5 metre from being flooded, though neighbours said the moo baan had never been flooded before.

After three days solid, torrential rain, the flood plain at the back of the house had risen from normal levels to that of 2 years ago. From 9am to 8pm it rose by about half a metre and was 2-3 inches shy of coming into the house. Sandbags had been setup but I didn't hold up much hope of them being totally resilient.

It peaked ab out 3am, with the house being under about 3 inches of water. It subsuded and by midday today it had dropped the half-metre again and the back of the house was clear. It's taken most of the day to get things clean, but I reckon we got of pretty well. We've lost the bottom few inches of any wooden furniture we couldn't stack up, and the water pump is making a pretty sick noise. That might dry out, but I think the furniture well be forever curly.

My wife's office is in a lower part of town. Her landlady had stacked up the furniture, but it still looks like the water got into the bottom of the computer which was on a low table. The water mark was about half a metre up the walls, and this was confirmed by people who lived nearby.

On the way back home, I met a tourist who was trying to get directions from a local on how to get to Sichon, about 30km further up the road, which was completely flooded last night and claimed fatality of a woman who drove off the road and drowned. He just wanted a beach to stay at having travelled 'around the world for 15 years, walking everywhere and never staying in a hotel' (he had a tent). I told him he was in a disaster area, and that the amphoe office was filled with people who lived around the beach and had been displaced by the floods. But he was adamant so I wished him good luck and pointed him the the right direction.

All in all, not pleasant, but not as bad as some people have it. I had an hour of 'what if' about 1am, envisioning us all sat on the top of he kitched extension in a sea of water waiting to be rescued by helicopters, and wishing I was on the 3rd floor of the hotel in town. But it didn't happen, and I was at home in a bedroom with a few inches of water, and that was that.

I can't imagine for what it is like for people who really got hit by this :-(

Mark...

[exbelg]

no kidding, do you see how the road are constructed? mud mud mud, fine layer of stones follow by a slob of actual road...

[animatic]

.....

My mother is due to fly back to England from Surat Thani via Bangkok on Tuesday and we are concerned that the road (in Kanchanadit) is flooded and impassable at the moment so a mini panic has set in. The rain has been very sparse and spasmodic so far today and hopefully if it is similar tomorrow then the water level can fall and recede. If anyone has any info on how things are in Kanchanadit then We'd appreciate it if they could enlighten us on how things are going!! We are going to attempt, tomorrow morning, to make our way to Surat Thani, stay overnight in a hotel and then on to the airport on Tuesday and are keeping our fingers (and everything else) crossed that everything will be fine....

I think it will be quite bad in Surat Thani on Tuesday.

see windguru.

http://www.windguru....x.php?sc=208464

for tuesday there is an estimate of 224.2mm or 22 cm or 8.8 INCHES of rain.

Could be less, but.... not exactly good flying weather.

Equally important is this is added to mondays totals

88.3mm or 8.8 cm or 3.47 inches

This is your driving day, but added onto several wet days in a row.

Even if the reports are half right this is 6 inches of rain in two days,

and it is raining on soaked ground and must go some where.

For perspective

'http://www.tmd.go.th/en/province.php?id=72

http://www.tmd.go.th...ionNumber=48551

Based on experience I find their 7 day forecasts optimistic....

http://www.weatheron.../SuratThani.htm

http://www.weatheron...=maps&VISIBLE=0

If your mom is on high ground and safe I might reconsider driving into Surat Thani Tuesday.

Food for thought.

Edited March 27, 2011 by animatic

[purushanti]

There have been recent road collapses also in Nan and Ayutthaya. There has been a suggestion that this type of thing is happening here and there around the world, eg, sinkholes also. Vulcanologists suggest that all volcanoes are interconnected. Perhaps so too with earthquakes, and their lesser effects miles away? www. zetatalk, and a couple of affiliated sites or links suggest that Indonesia and the Philippines are sinking, gradually, but soon to be more fully accomplished, and that such excuses as rainfall have little merit as there is no rain oftentimes. I will not report anything I have read about the south, Bangkok, or the country itself, as I understand we are not permitted to spread "rumours" about this country. Hope what I have written here is a lot of hooie, but I am not so convinced that all of it is false. The Mayan calendar is approaching its end.

[vont]

Just look at the pictures and admire the Thai masterpiece of road construction. No wonder what is causing all these fabulous potholes around the country.

I am not a road engineer, so would appreciate (seriously) a more detailed critique of what is visible in the picture. In other words, what do you see as the main problem there?

This looks like flooding runoff coming around a building placed in it's natural path, without drainage redirect built in, and undermining and removing 1-2 meters of a road next to the building. I don't think the road construction is as much the issue as the inadequate and thoughtless way buildings are just placed willy nilly here, with no consideration of natures regular functions.

Thanks. Good answer.

The building to the right is new and the re-coursing of the river has been a problem all the way through construction.Do they need planning permission? ..... or is that a stupid question?

Kipsie thank you for confirming my observations.

I did note that building looked quite new, nice bright bricks etc.

The plastic pipe is no doubt a water run off from roof or some such, from the new building under it's sidewalk and into the river.

It is an endemic problem in Thailand. Where once houses and many buildings were built on stilts, and also out of the wetlands egress-ways, now they are ground level and solidly built, but possibly by people who historically have little experience with water run-off issues since until recently most houses were elevated. And also land in some areas is becoming more scarce and people tend to go where they think their purchase will profit them most.

The plastic pipe is no doubt a water run off from roof or some such, from the new building under it's sidewalk and into the river.

Funny.... how farang living in Thailand for so many years

fails to recognize the light blue little plastic tube as simply....

a 3 quarter inch water pipe inlet commonly used in most buildings....

for a water outlet, depending on building size, most use 2" pvc instead.

Or am I the only one using this spec in all my buildings.

For added value: PVC in Thailand comes in 3 thickness, thin, medium and thick. Prices vary according to thickness and who manufactures them. TOR-NUM-THAI appears most reliable for me and most expensive as well.

Edited March 27, 2011 by vont

[baboon]

The weather in Chumphon over the last few days has been absolutely bloody terrible,though I have to say the infrastructure has been coping remarkably well.

[keestha]

The road from Ranong to Chumporn was closed this morning, probably still is, and somebody just called me from Ranong telling me the road from Ranong to Takua Pa is also closed, because of a bridge being washed away.

[baboon]

The road from Ranong to Chumporn was closed this morning, probably still is, and somebody just called me from Ranong telling me the road from Ranong to Takua Pa is also closed, because of a bridge being washed away.

Blimey! Thank God I am not up for a visa run soon!

[PhoenixRising]

Speaking of visa runs, I need to go today! I was planning on going to Malaysia today and back (by bus) before the end of this week. Now it doesn't sould like it will be safe because of this flooding! I wonder if it would be better to just go to Cambodia for a fifteen day stamp and save the trip to Malaysia for next week.

[David006]

Speaking of visa runs, I need to go today! I was planning on going to Malaysia today and back (by bus) before the end of this week. Now it doesn't sould like it will be safe because of this flooding! I wonder if it would be better to just go to Cambodia for a fifteen day stamp and save the trip to Malaysia for next week.

Drove to Thali Ban National park border( just east of Satun..think a lot of mini buses do visa runs there)from Trang on Sunday..only rain free day for the last week.lovely day..no evidence of road closures or major problems except for the road construction near border...what a mess .....good luck mate..the weather here this morning is bloody awful...

just reread your post...maybe you are not doing your 90 day run?

[PhoenixRising]

David, my current stamp expires on March 30th and I needed to go to Penang to process a 60 day visa, plus pick up some belongings along with a couple of kitties I had to leave down there. So I guess I'll just have to make the trip to Cambodia, instead to get a 15 day stay. I'll plan on going next week down to Malaysia. Hopefully this rain will be gone by then!

Edited March 28, 2011 by PhoenixRising

[harleyclarkey]

Just look at the pictures and admire the Thai masterpiece of road construction. No wonder what is causing all these fabulous potholes around the country.

I am not a road engineer, so would appreciate (seriously) a more detailed critique of what is visible in the picture. In other words, what do you see as the main problem there?

Blazes....What wouldn't help is the actual road construction. It seems there is only a wearing course of tarmac or Marshall asphalt (stronger and more hard wearing) over a fairly thin hardcore base.

There should be a top tarmac/asphalt wearing course of a minimum 75mm over a tarmac base course of 100mm over a compacted hard core (stone, usually 75mm down or a road standard mix of 804) sub base of 300-400mm on solid sub soil. These are fairly minimum thickness's.

Having said this it will still wash away if there are no run off culverts or proper drains installed as already posted here.