47 Thai Provinces Face Flooding This Weekend

[webfact]

47 provinces face flooding this weekend

By The Nation

The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DPMD) yesterday warned residents in 47 provinces to brace for possible flash floods and landslides in the coming days.

"People in risky areas should keep a close eye on the situation," DPMD director general Wiboon Sanguanpong warned, adding that the probability of floods should ease after tomorrow.

So far, up to 1.9 million people in 23 provinces have been adversely affected by flooding, with 140 killed and two missing. According to authorities, floods have ravaged 230 state-run medical facilities and more than 1,700 state schools.

Wiboon said the Northeast would face an added risk from Monday to Wednesday because a low-pressure ridge is expected to bring heavy downpours.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said she would hold daily video conferences with governors of flooded provinces until the waters subside, adding that she believed the relief operations would continue for at least another month.

"Once the floodwaters are drained, we will have to start rehabilitating the affected areas," she said.

In Lop Buri, the waters are more than three metres deep in some spots, and provincial governor Chatchai Promlert said more than 160,000 rai of land was submerged, with waters damaging 78 roads, one bridge, 64 temples and 11 schools.

Their Majesties the King and the Queen sent a representative to Ayutthaya's Kasatrathirat Worawihan yesterday to deliver rice, sugar, fish sauce, cooking oil and other food items, while HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited flood victims in Bang Ban district yesterday morning and handed out up to 200 blankets. The princess's private deputy principal secretary Samrerng Iamsa-ard also led a team to Uthai Thani yesterday to hand out relief items on her behalf.

Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri said of the flood victims visited by the state mobile medical teams, 1,365 were found to be under a high level of stress and 3,124 others were diagnosed as being severely depressed.

"Up to 363 others are suicidal," he said.

Labour Minister Phadermchai Sasomsap said his ministry was pushing for a project to hire about 1,100 of flood-affected people in Ayutthaya to help clean up the area once the floods subside.

"About Bt1 million would be needed for the project," he said, adding that this should help ease the local people's woes.

Phadermchai said similar operations had already been implemented in Phichit, Phetchabun and Nakhon Sawan.

-- The Nation 2011-09-24

[lopburi3]

Indeed areas of Lopburi (near Singburi border on major klong) are having the worst flooding in memory for some reason and it is extremely stressful as not a normal inch by inch progression but extremely fast increase in water levels. Our family had to evacuate yesterday for the first time in history and no boats were available - only able to use farm tractor/cart over washed out and very dangerous roads. On Thursday water level increase was more the 60cm after having been almost constant the day before.

[ratcatcher]

Indeed areas of Lopburi (near Singburi border on major klong) are having the worst flooding in memory for some reason and it is extremely stressful as not a normal inch by inch progression but extremely fast increase in water levels. Our family had to evacuate yesterday for the first time in history and no boats were available - only able to use farm tractor/cart over washed out and very dangerous roads. On Thursday water level increase was more the 60cm after having been almost constant the day before.

You and your family and all others in these dire straits have my sympathy and commiseration. My wife and are in similar circumstances, but have not had to evacuate.....yet.

We are on the banks of the Nan river further north,just south of Phichit. There's no way out, except by small boats. Last night this area absorbed another enormous rainstorm that lasted a couple of hours.

After rainfall over the last weeks, of "biblical" proportions, I am wondering why Bangkok has not flooded.

Is flood water being held back simply so that Bangkokneys don't have to get their feet wet in that nasty, dirty water?

After all, one of the so-called experts did say "Bangkok will not flood", with the proviso, that there was no more rain.

[lopburi3]

Bangkok years ago built a flood prevention system - it is not a don't get feet wet but an economic necessity as buildings in city are not designed to allow for annual flooding so would be like allowing New Orleans disaster yearly if flooded. They are still subject to local flooding from rain or river overflow. Although the limitation in exit path causes some increase in water levels upcountry and may make it slightly longer it would not prevent the flooding even if a free flow as experience shows. When nature works man can only react. Even in the US/Europe where severe flooding is uncommon it does happen from time to time.

[moe666]

This spring there where big floods along the Mississippi River and a few other feeders. Best wishes to all affected in Thailand hope it will end soon and everyone back home. Bangkok is spared because of the water released into paddy fields futher north.

Edited September 24, 2011 by moe666

[Bagwan]

Just to go off at a tangent - when was the last time there was flooding in the Netherlands? Was in in 1944 when those oh so nice German occupiers broke open the dykes? There are lessons to be learned Thailand. Forget face, go and ask the Dutch - and be sure to say please.

The UK learned a lot after the 1953 inundations. That was some storm. We were ordered to sea and went under the Forth Bridge almost sideways just avoiding a minesweeper in dire straits that was missing its 4" gun and its boats.