Govt should have tackled flood crisis earlier: experts

Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

Water and weather experts have expressed disappointment with the government's action in dealing with the flood situation - saying setting up sandbag walls and distributing flood relief bags to victims are not the way to overcome a flood crisis.

"We cannot handle this crisis situation with normal measures," the deputy director of the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), Somchai Baimuang, said.

He was speaking at a roundtable discussion organised by Krungthep Turakij newspaper.

Signs of impending flood crisis had been seen since March when heavy rain began falling in the southern part of Thailand, while other regions faced cold weather even though March is the summer season.

"This was a 60-year extreme weather event which brought a large amount of rainfall over the country," he said.

"Our agency told the Royal Irrigation Department [RID] in July, before tropical storm Nok-Ten hit the country, there would be abnormal weather this year, and the RID should treat this year's flood with crisis measures not just normal measures," he added.

Since early this year, Thailand has been hit by two tropical storms - Hai Ma and Nok-Ten. As a result, a lot of dams - especially big dams such as Bhumibol and Sirikit - were almost full from rainwater and had insufficient capacity to collect water when further heavy rain fell. At the same time, heavy rain was falling outside the dam area and causing floods in many areas.

"There was no place for the water to go," he said.

Thailand has three main rivers to drain water to the sea - the Ta Chin, Chao Phraya and Bang Prakong - but all were swollen to capacity by rainwater.

"We have to rethink the way we handle flood crisis events - and we have many opportunities every year," he said.

He suggested agencies encourage members of the public, especially farmers, to change their behaviour on agricultural activities and respond to the changes in weather patterns.

Urban areas, especially residential and those with infrastructure, should not be established in natural reservoirs and block waterways.

"We have to accept that much damage from floods was not caused by heavy rainfall but by human activity," Somchai said.

He added that TMD can now forecast weather only for 24 hours and with an accuracy of only 79 per cent. It relies on a super computer that was installed 10 years ago for these predictions.

"If the government wants to achieve weather forecast accuracy, it must allocate more funds to our agency to get the latest weather forecasting with new technology," he said.

"How can we fight this enemy in the war [against flooding] without a weapon?" he added.

Associate Professor Adis Israngkura, of the Thailand Development Research Institute, said the government failed to gain the cooperation of all involved parties while dealing with the flood crisis.

"Thailand's flood problem was not caused by natural disaster but by the failure of government management," he said.

"If the government still blames just heavy rain, bad weather or even global warming, it will never know what are the real causes of flood crises," he added.

Hannarong Yaowalert, president of the Foundation for Integrated Water Management, said the Asian Institute of Technology conducted research 10 years ago which found that road structures were the major cause of the flood crisis in many areas across the country, as many roads blocked the natural flow of water.

Additionally, residential areas, government buildings and educational institutes were built on natural channels, which originally drained water in flood seasons.

"We spent over Bt1 billion to study and discover how to handle a flood crisis. We already have all the knowledge [we need] about the situation, but we have no-one to make a determination strong enough to solve the problem," he said.

"All the government and local governments are doing now is to set up sandbags along rivers and distribute flood relief bags to victims. This is not the right way to deal with floods. It is just another way to create more problems in other areas," he added.

-- The Nation 2011-10-03

<" It is just another way to create more problems in other areas," he added.>"

And it is a FANTASTIC PHOTO OPPORTUNITY FOR POLITICIANS!!!!!:jap:

Water and weather experts have expressed disappointment with the government's action

This disappointment queue is getting longer and longer

It is a cop out to blame one single administration for the floods. The reality is that the country has not had a history of intelligent longterm water basin and flood management and an absence of urban planning for the past 25 years (or more). There are multiple reasons why the emphasis has always been protecting Bangkok and sacrificing the areas outside the BMA. Perhaps its due to the fact that a devastating flood in Bangkok would be a massive blow to the nation's self image and economy or it would create one of the largest environmental disasters ever seen in SE Asia complete with tens of thousands dropping dead due to cholera, typhoid, dehyration etc. The end result would be to civil unrest that would make the resdhirt and yellow shirt protests seem mild in comparison.

Ok, so a government responds with aid. Big deal. This does not change the underlying reasons why the water is uncontrolled. Deforestation, allowing the natural flood containment protections such as rivers to become blocked or diverted, the removal of swamps and the building of dams and reservoirs where they don't belong all are contributing factors.Providing food aid, won't stop the floods next year or the year after that. Bangkok keeps expanding over land not best suited for a sprawling urban area. That's the reality. The decisions to divert rivers and build some of these dams were made decades ago. Finger pointing is easy. Bandaid solutions are easy. What is difficult is for a government to say, we need a comprehensive water management policy and for vested interests to step aside and put the nation's interest first. It isn't a Democrat or PTP or generic political party issue, but is a national issue that no one wants to address.

It is a cop out to blame one single administration for the floods. The reality is that the country has not had a history of intelligent longterm water basin and flood management and an absence of urban planning for the past 25 years (or more). There are multiple reasons why the emphasis has always been protecting Bangkok and sacrificing the areas outside the BMA. Perhaps its due to the fact that a devastating flood in Bangkok would be a massive blow to the nation's self image and economy or it would create one of the largest environmental disasters ever seen in SE Asia complete with tens of thousands dropping dead due to cholera, typhoid, dehyration etc. The end result would be to civil unrest that would make the resdhirt and yellow shirt protests seem mild in comparison.

Ok, so a government responds with aid. Big deal. This does not change the underlying reasons why the water is uncontrolled. Deforestation, allowing the natural flood containment protections such as rivers to become blocked or diverted, the removal of swamps and the building of dams and reservoirs where they don't belong all are contributing factors.Providing food aid, won't stop the floods next year or the year after that. Bangkok keeps expanding over land not best suited for a sprawling urban area. That's the reality. The decisions to divert rivers and build some of these dams were made decades ago. Finger pointing is easy. Bandaid solutions are easy. What is difficult is for a government to say, we need a comprehensive water management policy and for vested interests to step aside and put the nation's interest first. It isn't a Democrat or PTP or generic political party issue, but is a national issue that no one wants to address.

A lot of hot air as usual ... tell us something we don,t know..... and of course its an issue for the sitting government whoever is in charge... But this government were too busy thinking about ways to bring their de-facto leader home... thats way more important than a bit of rain....

I'm no expert but have come to the same conclusion.

We are all 'experts' when armed with hindsight...

...and as for those who blame everything upon the new government..... still smarting because their chosen team lost....

The rains come every year, cause havoc, they end end and everyone breaths a sigh of relief and then it forgotten. Pro-active thoughts are required not reactive, get it done before next year or same same. History teaches nothing here.

A lot of hot air as usual ... tell us something we don,t know..... and of course its an issue for the sitting government whoever is in charge... But this government were too busy thinking about ways to bring their de-facto leader home... thats way more important than a bit of rain....

If you already know, then why blame the current administration? The floods are going to get worse with every year unless the underlying causes are addressed. If the government attempts to respond the powerful transportation and river fishing interests protest. It is the responsibility of the BMA to control urban development in Bangkok. The PTP has limited influence in Bangkok.It is the responsibility of the various provincial and local governments to control building in flood zones. Good luck on that. Some of the rural areas affected are PTP strongholds. If the current admin tried to stop development in the flood zones, no one would listen, much as they ignored the warnings 25 years ago. The Abhisit government didn't do anything when it was in a position to effect change. I don't blame them though since no one would allow the change even if it had been attempted. The only reason aid is provided is to keep the peace and to give the impression the government cares. It doesn't matter who is in government, the floods are going to get worse. Would you support a national water management strategy, particularly if it meant your utility costs increased or if you had to move, or if a dam in your region had to be relocated? I don't think so. Do you thing the powerful trade groups will allow the diversion of water resources to be stopped? How about the forbidding of development of flood plains? The floods in large part are made worse by humans. It is up to humans to make the changes.

The indomitable Thai spirit is well encapsulated in the OP photo of a smiling woman up to her neck in water as she seems to be greeting a visitor to her opened door as if nothing was the matter and she hasn't a care in the world.

You have much respect, dear lady...

Hopefully, this government will someday have even 1% of your courage, but I'm not treading water until they do so.

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It is a cop out to blame one single administration for the floods. The reality is that the country has not had a history of intelligent longterm water basin and flood management and an absence of urban planning for the past 25 years (or more). There are multiple reasons why the emphasis has always been protecting Bangkok and sacrificing the areas outside the BMA. Perhaps its due to the fact that a devastating flood in Bangkok would be a massive blow to the nation's self image and economy or it would create one of the largest environmental disasters ever seen in SE Asia complete with tens of thousands dropping dead due to cholera, typhoid, dehyration etc. The end result would be to civil unrest that would make the resdhirt and yellow shirt protests seem mild in comparison.

Ok, so a government responds with aid. Big deal. This does not change the underlying reasons why the water is uncontrolled. Deforestation, allowing the natural flood containment protections such as rivers to become blocked or diverted, the removal of swamps and the building of dams and reservoirs where they don't belong all are contributing factors.Providing food aid, won't stop the floods next year or the year after that. Bangkok keeps expanding over land not best suited for a sprawling urban area. That's the reality. The decisions to divert rivers and build some of these dams were made decades ago. Finger pointing is easy. Bandaid solutions are easy. What is difficult is for a government to say, we need a comprehensive water management policy and for vested interests to step aside and put the nation's interest first. It isn't a Democrat or PTP or generic political party issue, but is a national issue that no one wants to address.

A lot of hot air as usual ... tell us something we don,t know..... and of course its an issue for the sitting government whoever is in charge... But this government were too busy thinking about ways to bring their de-facto leader home... thats way more important than a bit of rain....

Ahh... so it is all Thaksin's fault.

Right.

Ahh... so it is all Thaksin's fault.

Right.

Poor understanding ...

To solve long-term problems, a country needs stability, consensus and long-term planning !

In Thaïland this is not possible to the government since a long time ago ...

The first preoccuppation of a given government is (for Democrats) winning the next elections or (for Thaksinites) quickly fill their pockets till the next crash (1997) or coup (2006).

What they should be planning now is dredging the canals and rivers when the rain stops. They could pile up the sand from that at the edge of the villages ready to fill sand bags for the next rainy season and if it is done every year then it gets easier and the floods get less each year.

If it is planned properly there would be enough work for people and machinery for years ahead and whichever government started it off would get a lot more votes at the next election.

Meanwhile.... the death toll from floods has increased to 212.

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can anyone tell me why the flood problem here is not being mentioned to the outside i.e nothing on bbc world news or any other news sites ive browsed?

While slow reaction to the flood is not entirely the government's fault, being masters at PR they should've at least created the perception that they were proactively helping people. It didn't help at all when the floods started appearing last month but instead the government focused on playing footy with Hun Sen and bring back a fugitive. Worse, they even said they didn't have enough funds to help the people.

As a few posters indicated, the flooding the country is suffering from is not the current governments fault, neither the previous government and so further down the road. All can be accused of ignoring / underestimating the problem though. Mostly something gets done when the flooding occurs. Thank you, dear government for new, improved, shiny boots; really helps the lady in the OP picture.

What irks me is when the government comes with meaningless statements about "we work on it", "we need some time". The current PM is a worthy example of this

"Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday said the government would likely need to spend more than Bt40 billion on integrated water management, which should prevent extensive flooding in the future."

Apart from being close to the yearly 'flood damage control' what plan is there to have THB 40 billion preventing extensive flooding? Will THB 40 billion keep flooding levels down to 'boots manageble' (water)levels?

Meanwhile.... the death toll from floods has increased to 212.

A good time to leave the country for a gala dinner...

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PM Yingluck to visit Myanmar

BANGKOK 4 October, 2011 (NNT) - PM Yingluck Shinawatra is scheduled to visit Myanmar on Wednesday to introduce herself to Myanmar’s leader as Thailand’s new Prime Minister.

During the trip, PM Yingluck and President Thein Sein will discuss important issues, including promotion of trade and investment, the opening of a permanent border crossing, drug smuggling across the border and illegal labor.

PM Yingluck and President Thein Sein will also witness the presentation of meteorological equipment and the contract signing ceremony of road and the friendship bridge construction. The contract will be signed by Thai and Myanmar foreign ministers.

PM Yingluck will then join a gala dinner hosted by the Myanmar leader and will return to the country on the same day.

She has also planned to visit Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and China later this month.

-- NNT 2011-10-04

PM Yingluck to visit Myanmar

BANGKOK 4 October, 2011 (NNT) - PM Yingluck Shinawatra is scheduled to visit Myanmar on Wednesday

PM Yingluck will then join a gala dinner hosted by the Myanmar leader

Death toll from flooding has now increased to 224 and has adversely affected 2.4 million people.

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PM Yingluck and President Thein Sein will also witness the presentation of meteorological equipment

What are they presenting them with ?.....the 10 year old super computer mentioned in the OP ?

PM Yingluck and President Thein Sein will also witness the presentation of meteorological equipment

What are they presenting them with ?.....the 10 year old super computer mentioned in the OP ?

"What are they presenting them with ?.....the 10 year old super computer mentioned in the OP ?"

- which could have been replaced by the previous Democrat governement.

After all Abhsit said they only spent 20 billion baht on flood relief and prevention so there should have been plenty left for a new super computer. Oh, hold on, he lied, it was actually 47.5 billion baht he spent.

http://thainews.prd....id=255409050004

PM Yingluck to visit Myanmar

BANGKOK 4 October, 2011 (NNT) - PM Yingluck Shinawatra is scheduled to visit Myanmar on Wednesday

PM Yingluck will then join a gala dinner hosted by the Myanmar leader

Death toll from flooding has now increased to 224 and has adversely affected 2.4 million people.

.

This not a new phenomenon - it was just as bad last year and despite the amount of money spent by the democrats on flood prevention we have the same results this year, that was what you were trying to point out wasn't it, Buchholz?

Or was it just a cheap shot at the PM for spending one day out of the country on a previously organised visit, whilst flood relief efforts go on unhindered whilst she is away?

News Headline: Thailand: Death toll from the recent floods rises to 224 - Different Date : 15th November 2010, Different Government ; Democrat coalition

BANGKOK, 15 November 2010 (NNT) - 18 provinces are still suffering from floods. Meanwhile, 224 deaths have been reported, 15 in the Northeast and 72 in the South, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has revealed that currently 13 provinces in the Northeast and Central are still facing flood problems. Nearly 250,000 homes have been damaged, over 800,000 people affected, and nearly six million rai of farmland inundated.

http://reliefweb.int/node/375147

PM Yingluck and President Thein Sein will also witness the presentation of meteorological equipment

What are they presenting them with ?.....the 10 year old super computer mentioned in the OP ?

"What are they presenting them with ?.....the 10 year old super computer mentioned in the OP ?"

- which could have been replaced by the previous Democrat government.

Which also could have been replaced by your hero's previous government...

PM Yingluck and President Thein Sein will also witness the presentation of meteorological equipment

What are they presenting them with ?.....the 10 year old super computer mentioned in the OP ?

"What are they presenting them with ?.....the 10 year old super computer mentioned in the OP ?"

- which could have been replaced by the previous Democrat government.

Which also could have been replaced by your hero's previous government...

Not my hero, sorry to disappoint you - just to balance your post - all three governments could have replaced it, none did. It is not down to just one government, the one that has been elected for just two months remember.

PM Yingluck to visit Myanmar

BANGKOK 4 October, 2011 (NNT) - PM Yingluck Shinawatra is scheduled to visit Myanmar on Wednesday

PM Yingluck will then join a gala dinner hosted by the Myanmar leader

Death toll from flooding has now increased to 224 and has adversely affected 2.4 million people.

This not a new phenomenon - it was just as bad last year and despite the amount of money spent by the democrats on flood prevention we have the same results this year, that was what you were trying to point out wasn't it, Buchholz?

Pointing out that hundreds are dying, millions are affected, but you seem to think everything is under control so that the PM can fly off for her gala dinner.

Apparently, though, she feels she's doing ok,

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has been trying to show the public how much she cares about the current flood situation

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=503097

I'm not pointing out anyone else's actions, but I guess we see her actions differently.

.

related

A Rift Must Be Averted: Thai Editorial

Follow this link:

PM Yingluck to visit Myanmar

BANGKOK 4 October, 2011 (NNT) - PM Yingluck Shinawatra is scheduled to visit Myanmar on Wednesday

PM Yingluck will then join a gala dinner hosted by the Myanmar leader

Death toll from flooding has now increased to 224 and has adversely affected 2.4 million people.

This not a new phenomenon - it was just as bad last year and despite the amount of money spent by the democrats on flood prevention we have the same results this year, that was what you were trying to point out wasn't it, Buchholz?

Pointing out that hundreds are dying, millions are affected, but you seem to think everything is under control so that the PM can fly off for her gala dinner.

I'm not pointing out anyone else's actions, but I guess we see her actions differently.

.

Were you that concerned enough to post when the same thing happened last year? Oh, you're not pointing out her actions, you just see them differently. So, apparently, the moment Yingluck leaves the country nothing can be controlled without her. I thought she was regarded as just a puppet by her detracters and not capable of running anything? Make your mind up.

The actions referred to in the related thread posted above yours highlights some of her actions that are viewed by people other than myself as less than optimal and could possibly show you some insight into her shortcomings.

btw, new warnings have been issued today for more flooding and more landslides. Hopefully it won't upset her during the appetizers course of the gala dinner.

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The actions referred to in the related thread posted above yours highlights some of her actions that are viewed by people other than myself as less than optimal and could possibly show you some insight into her shortcomings.

I think you are being too harsh on her, after all she did find time in her busy schedule of negotating a full pardon for brother #1, appointing a relative as chief of police and conducting detailed planning of how to swell the family coffers with Cambodian/Thai oil & gas money to hand out some plastic boots...