Phuket Dam Passes Post-Quake Safety Inspection

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Phuket dam passes post-quake safety inspection

Phuket Gazette – Tuesday, April 17

Phuket Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosutthirak (in green shirt) led the inspection after villagers expressed their fears that the dam had suffered damage and would gave way, allowing the reservoir waters to flood their homes. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

The inspection team checked the pressure-sensor control box, which indicated that the dam suffered no damage from yesterday’s earthquake. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: Phuket officials have declared the dam at Bang Neaw Dum Reservoir in Thalang structurally sound following a safety inspection earlier today.

The inspection was prompted by a series earthquakes centered in Thalang over the past few days, including a 4.3 Richter tremor yesterday morning. That quake left local residents living downstream fearing the structural integrity of the dam might have been compromised, putting them at risk of flooding if it gives way.

A walking inspection along the top of the 680-meter-long dam by Phuket Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosutthirak, technical experts and other local officials revealed no signs of cracking at the dam.

Joining V/Gov Somkiet was San Jantharawong, chief of the Phuket office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket), Phuket MP Raywat Areerob and Suwit Kosuwan, the director of Active Faults Research Center, Environmental Geology and Geological Hazards Office, Department of Mineral Resources.

Mr Suwit inspected a pressure-sensor cabinet at the site, which indicated that the dam and its granite core had not been affected by the recent jolts.

The tour also included the dam’s spillway, through which water in excess of the reservoir’s capacity flows.

“We are confident the dam is strong enough to withstand earthquakes. Local residents can feel at ease. We would also like them to reassure them that we are paying careful attention to these earthquakes,” V/Gov Somkiet said.

Sombat Puangsombat, director of the Irrigation Department office in Phuket that oversees the operation of the dam, also confirmed that no damage occurred as a result of the recent quakes.

Mr Suwit explained that the structure, 860 meters long, eight meters wide and 30 meter high, allowed the reservoir behind to have a total storage capacity of about 5 million cubic meters.

“Initially, we found no damage at the top of the dam. The overall condition of the dam is still strong. Dams are designed to be able to withstand earthquakes. The most important thing is that the core of Bang Neaw Dum dam is constructed of granite, which can absorb vibrations very well,” he added.

The inspection was a standard procedure after an earthquake, he said.

Recent seismic activity along the Klong Marui Fault that runs past Phuket was likely related to much larger quakes off the coast of Sumatra that left the fault displaced, he said.

The epicenter of yesterday’s earthquake was located somewhere near the Baan Soi Bang Kham community in Thalang, he said.

Srisoonthorn Mayor Worawut Songyot said the earthquake centered in the Srisoonthorn area and subsequent aftershocks left many local residences concerned about the dam’s condition and asking for an inspection.

“So I came here today and am glad that no damage has been found,” he said.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ticle12827.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-04-18

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PHUKET

Reservoir unaffected by Monday tremor : deputy governor

Thai News Agency

Bang Niew Dum

PHUKET: -- Bang Niew Dum reservoir in Phuket's Thalang district was intact after quake hit the province on Monday, Deputy Governor Somkiat Sangkaosuttirak said.

The reservoir with the capacity of 5 million cubic metres was unaffected by the quake, he said.

He was speaking after leading a team to inspect the district on Tuesday after a 4.3 earthquake on the Richter scale hit the area Monday. Cracks of about 2-3 metres have been found on the walls of some local buildings.

Meanwhile Worawut Songyos, a Thalang district mayor, said residents reported damage to 33 homes due to earthquake. Local authorities in Sri Soontorn sub-district municipality inspected damages and cooperated with district and provincial offices to channel added assistance.

The mayor said the area must still be monitored, for slippage has been found in some areas. His municipality has prepared temporary shelters in case of more serious impacts, he noted.

National Disaster Warning Centre director Group Capt Somsak Khaosuwan said five aftershocks followed Monday's earthquake, with three more Tuesday, including one at 3.1 on the Richter scale which was felt in several areas of Phuket province.

Capt Somsak said the centre was closely monitoring the situation after following last week's major quakes in the vicinity of Indonesia’s Sumatra.

He said the centre will warn the public immediately if a quake occurs, as there has been the case recently including the latest at the Thai resort.

"An earthquake is a natural disaster in which we cannot predict but I am confident that a major quake will not strike Thailand," the centre director.

Capt Somsak noted that the tremors this week were aftershocks of the April 11 earthquake in Indonesia.

He said the centre and the Department of Meteorology has already sent staff experts to Phuket while a special centre to monitor the earthquakes around the clock has been set up at Meteorological Department headquarters in Bangkok.

In a related development, National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) Secretary General Thakorn Tanthasit said the commission has asked telecommunication network providers, the Radio Amateur Society, and radio and television stations to be prepared to distribute news and warnings in times of crisis.

The NBTC move follows complaints of a failed communication network during the panic of last week quakes.

Thakorn said the commission is also seeking cooperation from radio amateurs nationwide to help distribute details of natural disasters.

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-04-18