Electrocution Warning As Thai Flood Toll Spikes

[webfact]

Electrocution warning as Thai flood toll spikes

by Anusak Konglang

BANGKOK, November 2, 2011 (AFP) - Thai authorities warned flood victims Wednesday of an increased danger of electrocution in densely populated Bangkok and its suburbs as the toll from the worst inundation in decades surged above 400.

While the centre of the capital Bangkok remains dry, residential areas in its outskirts and to the north have been submerged in water up to people's waists or even deeper as runoff creeps south from the central plains.

The government said the disaster has now killed 427 people -- an increase of 42 from the figure reported a day earlier. While drowning was the most common cause of death, dozens have also been electrocuted.

"In the past 10 days deaths from electrocution rose from just nine to 36 and about 80 percent of those were in the provinces surrounding Bangkok," said a senior public health ministry official, Porntep Siriwanarangsun.

"I'm sure many cases are not reported. If this issue is not addressed it will be a major cause of death," he told AFP.

Most instances of fatal electrocution occurred when people returned to their flooded one-storey homes, unaware of the risk.

"In many cases victims died because of senseless action," Porntep said.

So far none of the deaths in the official toll were in Bangkok, where the risk of drowning is considered relatively low because the water is fairly shallow in most areas and the current is not strong.

A bigger worry is children swimming in contaminated water, Porntep said, adding that the authorities would need to clean up garbage soon after the floods recede to prevent leptospirosis, a severe bacterial infection.

The country will have to deal with 1.45 million tonnes of uncollected rubbish after the floods end, according to the environment ministry.

Despite fears about hundreds of crocodiles that have escaped from farms, there have been no reports of attacks.

"There is no evidence that crocodiles on the loose attacked any flood victims," said agriculture ministry official Somwang Phimonbut, who added that eight of the animals had been caught alive.

The floods, triggered by unusually heavy monsoon rains that began three months ago, have damaged the homes and livelihoods of millions of people across the kingdom.

Residents in affected areas have complained that their homes are being sacrificed to save central parts of the sprawling metropolis, home to 12 million people, leading to protests and the destruction of some dykes.

The cabinet on Tuesday approved compensation of up to 30,000 baht (just under $1,000) for each home that has been damaged or destroyed.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra expressed concern about situation in the western part of Bangkok.

"This area will be slower to return to normal than others," she told reporters, asking for the public's support in a crisis that she said was not her fault.

"All the dams were full when I assumed office and five storms came afterwards," she said, adding that the government would try to speed up the drainage of floodwater to the sea.

Yingluck has refused calls from the opposition to declare a state of emergency that would give greater powers to the military to deal with unrest.

Army chief Prayut Chan-o-Cha also said that there was no need to invoke emergency rule to deal with dissatisfied flood victims.

"To use the special law will cause confrontation between people and soldiers," he told reporters.

The financial cost of the floods is estimated at 180 billion baht ($5.8 billion), according to the finance ministry, which said 2011 economic growth would be cut by 1.7 percentage points but still exceed 2.0 percent.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-11-02

[rkidlad]

Very scary times

[toenail]

??? Wouldnt the city turn off the electric if the floods enter a certain region??? (I guess not)

[alexakap]

??? Wouldnt the city turn off the electric if the floods enter a certain region??? (I guess not)

In my area, they did this (regardless the assurances from Egat that the power will stay). Just shut the power down on the whole area, that's it.

PS: until now, there is no electricity and no tap water too.

PPS: don't believe the authorities - and be prepared for the very opposite things.

[MEL1]

Well blow me down.

I post in the sudden rises in 'death rates' flash forum, and I talked about electrocution deaths, and suddenly there's now a warning for BKK.

Thanks for the forwarning in Ayyuthaya, Pathum etc. you wise ad[bstd]visors.

-m.

[KHUNDAN]

??? Wouldnt the city turn off the electric if the floods enter a certain region??? (I guess not)

In my area, they did this (regardless the assurances from Egat that the power will stay). Just shut the power down on the whole area, that's it.

PS: until now, there is no electricity and no tap water too.

PPS: don't believe the authorities - and be prepared for the very opposite things.

Alex,

Where are you and have you been getting any support?

Thanks

Dan

[Beechboy]

??? Wouldnt the city turn off the electric if the floods enter a certain region??? (I guess not)

In my area, they did this (regardless the assurances from Egat that the power will stay). Just shut the power down on the whole area, that's it.

PS: until now, there is no electricity and no tap water too.

PPS: don't believe the authorities - and be prepared for the very opposite things.

Poor Thailand. What an unmitigated disaster and to think it could easily happen again next year such are the uncertainties of the World's climate at the moment.

Electrocution, disease from the water and even crocodiles to say nothing of houses and belongings ruined. No electricity and no tap water, what a hell.

I feel that the cost of repairing all this and the detrimental effect of this on the Thai economy are greatly under-stated by the Governement. So much factory production damaged, so much many rice fields ruined. There will be less obvious things as well, not least it's effect upon tourism. I am in England at the moment, but was coming to avoid the winter months here, my usual habit, yesterday. I have delayed it, I spend a lot. There will be many others like me.

Edited November 2, 2011 by Beechboy

[Tokay]

Wrong crowd to be telling this to. Try telling it to the 10s of 1000s who are walking and swimming in the water every day.

[carbine1125]

Wrong crowd to be telling this to. Try telling it to the 10s of 1000s who are walking and swimming in the water every day.

All the dams were full when i came to office! What a lame ass excuse........from a muppet prime minister

[Beechboy]

Wrong crowd to be telling this to. Try telling it to the 10s of 1000s who are walking and swimming in the water every day.

I don't understand the relevance of that reply Tokay. You might as well say the same thing about the opening article.

Surely, as well, the financial implications of all this to the country are relevant to us all and not particularly in a selfish way.

[erobando]

Wrong crowd to be telling this to. Try telling it to the 10s of 1000s who are walking and swimming in the water every day.

I don't understand the relevance of that reply Tokay. You might as well say the same thing about the opening article.

Surely, as well, the financial implications of all this to the country are relevant to us all and not particularly in a selfish way.

No, I think Tokay is stating that most people on ThaiVisa are not in danger of electrocutions.

The people in danger of electrocutions are those we see on TV everyday playing in the floodwater.

[NanLaew]

Wrong crowd to be telling this to. Try telling it to the 10s of 1000s who are walking and swimming in the water every day.

I don't understand the relevance of that reply Tokay. You might as well say the same thing about the opening article.

Surely, as well, the financial implications of all this to the country are relevant to us all and not particularly in a selfish way.

No, I think Tokay is stating that most people on ThaiVisa are not in danger of electrocutions.

The people in danger of electrocutions are those we see on TV everyday playing in the floodwater.

'playing'..... give me a break!

[sirchai]

Very scary times

"In many cases victims died because of senseless action," Porntep said."

Watch out where the Huskeys go, don't you eat that yellow snow....

[sirchai]

Wrong crowd to be telling this to. Try telling it to the 10s of 1000s who are walking and swimming in the water every day.

I don't understand the relevance of that reply Tokay. You might as well say the same thing about the opening article.

Surely, as well, the financial implications of all this to the country are relevant to us all and not particularly in a selfish way.

No, I think Tokay is stating that most people on ThaiVisa are not in danger of electrocutions.

The people in danger of electrocutions are those we see on TV everyday playing in the floodwater.

What a weird statement. So many people have lost their homes and they still need to work, eat and shi...t..

Edited November 2, 2011 by sirchai

[erobando]

What a weird statement. So many people have lost their homes and they still need to work, eat and shi...t..

Some people need to go into the water. Many others are going into the water without the need for it.

[Arkady]

I saw a photograph of water spouting from an electrical socket in a flooded house. Must have got into the ducts in the wall.

[h90]

??? Wouldnt the city turn off the electric if the floods enter a certain region??? (I guess not)

In my area, they did this (regardless the assurances from Egat that the power will stay). Just shut the power down on the whole area, that's it.

PS: until now, there is no electricity and no tap water too.

PPS: don't believe the authorities - and be prepared for the very opposite things.

In my area they did not, we have more than 1 meter, maybe that's not enough?

We heard two explosions of transformers (at least we think so) from the deeper Suanam Luang 2 market.

If they cut electric my pumps stop. My fridge stops and my food stock will start to foul. I have a generator but not unlimited gasoline.

Edit: "PPS: don't believe the authorities - and be prepared for the very opposite things."

They told us we don't get flooded

We get 10-max 50 cm water.

We get 1-1.2 meter (deeper areas must have 2 meter now)

It will be just 2-3 days

it will 4-6 weeks

it will be 40 days minimum

What is the opposite???

Edited November 2, 2011 by h90

[Misterwhisper]

What do you expect from people except to know that it's "fai faa" and comes out of a wall? These are the same people who voted politicians in power under the promise that everybody would become rich within 3 years. Neanderthal votes Homo Erectus. These are the same people whose children you expect to use tablet computers sensibly and not only for game playing, the same people whose children (just as themselves) were told that Thais are somehow 'superior' to their neighbours. The same people who now tear down flood gates, because they think it will ease their own burden, which is not the case.

[ScubaBuddha]

"In many cases victims died because of senseless action," Porntep said.

Yes, the senseless actions of irresponsible builders and untrained "electricians." If done correctly, a body of water or a person stepping into it cannot be electrified from a household source. This so commonly reported in the news here that it has given me a neurosis. I am now in the habit of avoiding stepping in puddles and testing swimming pools and bath tubs before I get in.

[tamsom]

Perhaps after this disaster passes, electrical systems could be improved. One of the big problems in Thailand is the lack of an electrical ground. Yes I know that we all look up at the wiring on some major streets and wonder if anything will ever change. It is the responsibilty of the government to ensure that all power is shut off in flooded areas. I am sure that it can be done today. Let us all pray that there will be no more deaths due to electricity.

[toenail]

Seeing the infrastructure around the cities of Thailand, the authorities will make no corrections from this terrible flooding. (I hope I am wrong.)

[Jingthing]

I am sure that it can be done today. Let us all pray that there will be no more deaths due to electricity.

Praying and 200 baht will get you a latte at Starbucks.

[jombom]

The jungle drums tell me that the death toll is now over 500, and electrocution has taken over from drowning as the main cause.

Crocodiles are a smokescreen to distract people's attention.

So, when all this is over, one assumes there will be a public enquiry.

Egat has quite a lot of explaining to do.

1) Flooding the country, through mismanagement.

2) Electrocution of people due to lack of standards supervision.

3) Financing of numerous hydro projects in Laos with electricity buy-back options, and completely ignoring similar projects in Thailand.

[GentlemanJim]

The jungle drums tell me that the death toll is now over 500, and electrocution has taken over from drowning as the main cause.

Crocodiles are a smokescreen to distract people's attention.

So, when all this is over, one assumes there will be a public enquiry.

Egat has quite a lot of explaining to do.

1) Flooding the country, through mismanagement.

2) Electrocution of people due to lack of standards supervision.

3) Financing of numerous hydro projects in Laos with electricity buy-back options, and completely ignoring similar projects in Thailand.

I imagine the death toll is many many thousands, but the truth is being given out rather economically. We hear of drownings and electrocutions, but what of the old and vey young becoming ill and sick. Deaths down to the flu or TB etc etc although exacerbated by the flood will not be put down to flooding as a root cause. I wonder how they will hide all the forthcoming deaths due to serious illness/epidemic?

Can you explain more of what you said about Egat?

Thanks

[electau]

Persons can be and are electrocuted from the following, contact with a live conductor and earth and a live conductor in contact with water, eg in a flood situation. contact with the water can be at the metering point. Not all electrical installations have RCDs fitted. Also fallen power lines, they should always be regarded as live. If they are in water you may not see them.

In Qld Australia the floods in Jan 2011 caused widespread damage to property and in areas affected the HV distribution was deenergised for safety. No building was reconected until a full electrical safety inspection had been carried out.

Edited November 7, 2011 by electau

[jombom]

The jungle drums tell me that the death toll is now over 500, and electrocution has taken over from drowning as the main cause.

Crocodiles are a smokescreen to distract people's attention.

So, when all this is over, one assumes there will be a public enquiry.

Egat has quite a lot of explaining to do.

1) Flooding the country, through mismanagement.

2) Electrocution of people due to lack of standards supervision.

3) Financing of numerous hydro projects in Laos with electricity buy-back options, and completely ignoring similar projects in Thailand.

I imagine the death toll is many many thousands, but the truth is being given out rather economically. We hear of drownings and electrocutions, but what of the old and vey young becoming ill and sick. Deaths down to the flu or TB etc etc although exacerbated by the flood will not be put down to flooding as a root cause. I wonder how they will hide all the forthcoming deaths due to serious illness/epidemic?

Can you explain more of what you said about Egat?

Thanks

I gave 3 reasons --- which one needs to be explained ??