Floods inundate a quarter of Thailand's provinces, warnings issued

[webfact]

Floods inundate a quarter of Thailand's provinces, warnings issued
Reuters - Amy Sawitta Lefevre

BANGKOK (Reuters) - More than 600,000 Thais have been affected by flooding since July and more than a quarter of Thailand's provinces have been inundated, prompting officials to issue landslide warnings and begin evacuation measures on Monday.

Devastating floods in 2011 killed more than 800 people and caused massive disruption to industry, cutting economic growth that year to just 0.1 percent.

Four people have been killed in this year's flooding. More rainfall is expected later this week.

"Due to a heavier-than-usual monsoon season, 21 provinces are now experiencing flooding. We have issued a warning about landslides and have told boats in the Gulf of Thailand to be vigilant," Chatchai Promlert, chief of Thailand's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, told Reuters. [read ore...]

Full story: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/23/thailand-floods-idUSL4N0HJ0RV20130923

-- REUTERS 2013-09-23

[webfact]

RT@RichardBarrow: Flood barriers in Ayutthaya are being raised to protect temples along the river (Pic @Rawangpai) pic.twitter.com/bJfHrDiiIY

[Rimmer]

Nit picking post removed, please talk to Reuters if you have a problem with their text.

[winstonc]

not looking too clever here in ubon ratchathani..my next door neighbour has abandonded her house.water has risen by about 7ft next to me..watching boats going over what 5 days ago was a road .is disturbing.....oh the joy of renting...the rice fields have completly gone its like being next to a massive river ...my days of moaning about the english weather are over after seeing this..be safe everyone....seriously.be careful....

[Tatsujin]

A slow day in Thaivisa.... I'd have expected a few pages of posts on " Yingluck said there would be no more floods". Still, it's early days yet......

I agree with toybits, but now we're in danger of being flayed for being 'grammar police'

I would have come back with a witty "she promised no more floods", but actually she only promised that in 2012 so that doesn't apply any longer.

Her latest statement however is a classic:

"It all depends on the rain", she admitted yesterday.

[webfact]

Many Thai provinces flooded
By English News



BANGKOK, Sept 23 - Continued heavy rain disrupted business in the commercial districts of Thailand's northern provinces of Nakhon Sawan, Phichit and Phitsanulok, while ancient temples in central Ayutthaya
province have been under close watch to prevent damage from the rising waters.

Local authorities were instructed to drain water from Lad Yao district in northern Nakhon Sawan province last night, while a floodwall was built along Khunratbariban Canal to prevent more water flowing through
people's homes. Government workers rushed to help villagers of Latyao municipality move their belongings to higher ground. Thai Rung Ruang Market was still open today despite being under 30 centimetres of water.

The overflowing Khao Jed Luk and Saka canals in northern Phichit province triggered by continued runoffs from the Phetchabun mountain range flooded 200 households along both canals. Postal service has been suspended, while a local school was temporarily closed.

Nine flatboats have been sent to assist those of inundated villages in Phitsanulok, while flooding at Wangthong municipality has been closely watched around the clock.

In the central region, Ayutthaya Governor Wittaya Pewpong said he instructed local officials to closely monitor areas near Wat Dhammaram Temple, while emergency sandbags have been placed to prevent flood water coming through a two-metre breach in the dyke.

Amid concern of possible flooding in the capital, Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra, meanwhile, said that the amount of rainfall last weekend was less than predicted.

As upriver provinces such as Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya have been inundated, the governor said is still monitoring the water levels in major dams and found that there is no indication that there is a flood crisis as some fear.

He said the amount of water in Pasak Chonlasit, Bhumibol and Sirikit dams was measured at 40-50 per cent of their full capacity, compared to 80-90 per cent of the severe 2011 flooding. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-09-23

[webfact]

The State Railway of Thailand suspended train service to Ubon Ratchathani due to floods, trains from Bangkok will run to Srikhoraphum station in Surin. /Bangkok Post

[webfact]

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller advisory service.

The following Travel Advice has changed or been added since our last update ( 4 Sep 2013 09:24:30 EST):

* Thailand
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Thailand

Current Advice Level: "High degree of caution"
Change Summary:
It contains new information under Crime (avoid local and homemade cocktails) and Local travel (dont drink and drive). We continue to advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Thailand overall due to the threat of terrorist attack, and not to travel in the provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla.

[nong38]

I suppose every rainy season is different, there is going to be some flooding but why is year after year that things dont get better, why does no one seem to learn anything? You have a plan, how did it work? Anything we could have done better? Have a new plan A with back ups.

Somebody must have been in charge of whats going on, if they cant do the job get someone who can and by the way there are other counties who have to deal with large amounts of water ever thought of seeking advice?

Hastily building a sandbag wall alone the river east of Nakhon Sawan central today, looked bob a job week!

[webfact]

More districts flooded as BKK governor seeks to allay fears for the capital

BANGKOK: -- Continued heavy rain disrupted business in the commercial districts of Nakhon Sawan, Phichit and Phitsanulok, while ancient temples in the central province of Ayutthaya are under close watch to prevent damage from the rising waters.

Local authorities were instructed to drain water from Lat Yao district in northern Nakhon Sawan province last night, while a floodwall was built along the Khunratbariban Canal to prevent more water flowing into people’s homes.


-- The Nation 2013-09-23

[kotsak]

webfact, on 23 Sept 2013 - 15:13, said:

The State Railway of Thailand suspended train service to Ubon Ratchathani due to floods, trains from Bangkok will run to Srikhoraphum station in Surin. /Bangkok Post

At least this will keep the daily derailment count down for a while.. :>

[Thai at Heart]

I suppose every rainy season is different, there is going to be some flooding but why is year after year that things dont get better, why does no one seem to learn anything? You have a plan, how did it work? Anything we could have done better? Have a new plan A with back ups.

Somebody must have been in charge of whats going on, if they cant do the job get someone who can and by the way there are other counties who have to deal with large amounts of water ever thought of seeking advice?

Hastily building a sandbag wall alone the river east of Nakhon Sawan central today, looked bob a job week!

Oh please, stop, I can't take the laughter any more.

Next you will be telling me they will put boats in the river to push the water out....

[webfact]

UPDATE:
Bangkok Governor seeks to allay fears for Bangkok
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Continued heavy rain disrupted business in the commercial districts of Nakhon Sawan, Phichit and Phitsanulok, while ancient temples in the central province of Ayutthaya are under close watch to prevent damage from the rising waters.

Local authorities were instructed to drain water from Lat Yao district in northern Nakhon Sawan province last night, while a floodwall was built along the Khunratbariban Canal to prevent more water flowing into people’s homes. Government workers rushed to help villagers of Lat Yao municipality move their belongings to higher ground. Thai Rung Ruang Market was still open today despite being under 30 centimetres of water.

The overflowing Khao Jed Luk and Saka canals in northern Phichit province triggered by continued runoffs from the Phetchabun mountain range flooded 200 households along both canals. Postal services have been suspended and a local school was temporarily closed.

Nine flatboats have been sent to assist inundated villages in Phitsanulok and the flooding at Wang Thong municipality is being watched around the clock.

In the central region, Ayutthaya Governor Wittaya Pewpong said he had instructed local officials to closely monitor areas near Wat Dhammaram Temple, while emergency sandbags have been placed to prevent flood water coming through a two-metre breach in the dyke.

As concerns rose about possible flooding in the capital, Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said that the amount of rainfall last weekend was less than predicted.

With upriver provinces such as Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya inundated, the governor said that a close watch is being is kept on the water levels in major dams though they are no indications as yet of a flood crisis.

He said the amount of water in Pasak Chonlasit, Bhumibol and Sirikit dams currently measured 40-50 per cent of full capacity, compared to 80-90 per cent during 2011's severe flooding.


-- The Nation 2013-09-23

[jonclark]

Why are traditional Thai houses built on stilts? - Because it always floods in some part of Thailand, every year. This should surprise no one. The only thing that surprises me is that people believe politicians when they say they can stop the floods.

Reminds me of the old English King Canut who commanded the tide to stop ........and got wet feet.

[johnlandy]

Sounds odd, wasn't it only 3-4 days ago that this woman in BKK said 'don't worry, there is no problem, there is not gonna be a problem' relax it's all under control.

It is no wonder that no one from the realm has ever won a Nobel, an Oscar, or anything else of note. Just another case of TIT

[Misterwhisper]

Didn't they just install a Japan-paid 120+ million Baht "state-of-the-art flood prediction system" and bragged about how unique in the world it was? Bummer.

[webfact]

INSURANCE
No flooding disaster yet: Payungsak
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Despite the widespread flooding, Payungsak Chartsutipol, chairman of the state-owned insurance fund for natural-disaster coverage, said on Monday that this is not a disaster yet.

He said that first of all, the Cabinet must declare this as a disaster. However, to be classified as a disaster, the flooding damage must exceed Bt5 billion and the number of the affected must exceed 2 million to make this a disaster, he said.

According to Payungsak, in case of earthquake-related catastrophe, the fund will approve cash transfers when the earthquake is more than 7 on the Richter scale. In case of storms, the wind speed must be more than 120 km per hour.

"The current flooding can’t yet be classified as a disaster. As such, the fund’s cash transfers cannot be approved," he said.

The National Catastrophe Insurance Fund was set up after the 2011 flood disaster when damage was calculated at over Bt100 billion and millions of households. Foreign insurance companies have raised the insurance premiums thereafter. However, businesses and households can seek coverage from the state-owned fund, which charges 0.5-1.25 percentage point below market premiums.


-- The Nation 2013-09-23

[StasD]

oh, again. See as I saved my car that time))) Ayutthaya, 2011

Edited September 23, 2013 by StasD

[Tatsujin]

Only another 1,400,000 people needed to be affected before it becomes a disaster then . . . or one big Poo Yai's house to be flooded to make the Bt5 billion.

[AleG]

webfact, on 23 Sept 2013 - 15:13, said:

The State Railway of Thailand suspended train service to Ubon Ratchathani due to floods, trains from Bangkok will run to Srikhoraphum station in Surin. /Bangkok Post

At least this will keep the daily derailment count down for a while.. :>

On the other hand the SRT could add to this year's 115 derailments (so far) a couple train sinkings to their record.

[LomSak27]

Nong 38 posted

I suppose every rainy season is different, there is going to be some flooding but why is year after year that things dont get better, why does no one seem to learn anything

Well just over at the boat races on the weekend - and yep it rained - BUT up here it means landslides and floods coming out of the mountains - the river which flows into the chaoa Phraya (and on to bangkok) is oh, 30 feet below flood stage - or the floods back in October of 2011 - Thats in P-loke. In fact it looks like the reservoirs upstream had to dump water so there was a good depth for these races.

So what this article is NOT pointing out - IS THAT IT IS NOW WHERE NEAR WHAT HAPPEND IN 2011

Now do you feel a little better ... .... good back to the microwaved popcorn

[tomross46]

Will the flooding of the rice warehouses affect the rice pledging? All the flooded rice will have to be replaced, so more money into the hands of politicians. The wet race can not be written off the books, because it is an asset used to guarantee bank loans.

[DocN]

A slow day in Thaivisa.... I'd have expected a few pages of posts on " Yingluck said there would be no more floods". Still, it's early days yet......

I agree with toybits, but now we're in danger of being flayed for being 'grammar police'

I would have come back with a witty "she promised no more floods", but actually she only promised that in 2012 so that doesn't apply any longer.

Her latest statement however is a classic:

"It all depends on the rain", she admitted yesterday.

Well...prove her wrong!

[Sailingbum1]

My prayers for safety go out to all affected. especially those close to crocodial farms. Can anyone enlighten me on this sentence in the report. "and have told boats in the Gulf of Thailand to be vigilant". What are they t be vigilent for?

[Thai at Heart]

INSURANCE

No flooding disaster yet: Payungsak

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Despite the widespread flooding, Payungsak Chartsutipol, chairman of the state-owned insurance fund for natural-disaster coverage, said on Monday that this is not a disaster yet.

He said that first of all, the Cabinet must declare this as a disaster. However, to be classified as a disaster, the flooding damage must exceed Bt5 billion and the number of the affected must exceed 2 million to make this a disaster, he said.

According to Payungsak, in case of earthquake-related catastrophe, the fund will approve cash transfers when the earthquake is more than 7 on the Richter scale. In case of storms, the wind speed must be more than 120 km per hour.

"The current flooding can’t yet be classified as a disaster. As such, the fund’s cash transfers cannot be approved," he said.

The National Catastrophe Insurance Fund was set up after the 2011 flood disaster when damage was calculated at over Bt100 billion and millions of households. Foreign insurance companies have raised the insurance premiums thereafter. However, businesses and households can seek coverage from the state-owned fund, which charges 0.5-1.25 percentage point below market premiums.

-- The Nation 2013-09-23

lolololol

Now we are splitting hairs as to whether this is a "disaster", "tragedy" or "mishap".

These people are hilarious. If it pays out in a disaster, why is it called the "catastrophe" fund?

Edited September 23, 2013 by Thai at Heart

[orchidlady]

Didn't they spend an obscene amount per meter to build flood walls in Ayutthya (if the total amount listed in the media was correct)? Now they are saying they have to raise them.

[maximillian]

My prayers for safety go out to all affected. especially those close to crocodial farms. Can anyone enlighten me on this sentence in the report. "and have told boats in the Gulf of Thailand to be vigilant". What are they t be vigilent for?

Storms, big waves, crocodiles...

[Thai at Heart]

My prayers for safety go out to all affected. especially those close to crocodial farms. Can anyone enlighten me on this sentence in the report. "and have told boats in the Gulf of Thailand to be vigilant". What are they t be vigilent for?

Storms, big waves, crocodiles...

Plodprasops surge???

[Just1Voice]

I'm sorry, but you would THINK that over the past 50-60 years, they would understand that there WILL be flooding in places, and actually do something about it. Other than just blowing more hot air.

Actually, that's not fair. They did. They filled in the klongs in and around BKK to build more houses and buildings, and they do a "Once-every-10 years-or so", cleaning of the ones that remain. Of course, they clean them out and dump everything on the banks, so the next heavy rain washes it all right back in, but they did clean them. And they actually did invite Dutch engineers in to study the flooding problem, and how to make things better. When the were done, the Thai said "Khap", sent the Dutch home, and then stuck the report and proposals in some drawer;

But as for doing anything Positive??? That just wouldn't be right! It's just not the "Thai Way", especially if there's not a few thousand, or million baht to be raked right off the top and go into deep pockets. And if things don't change, in 10-15 years, we will still be reading about the floods. And the likely hood of that happening? I'll put my money on the likely hood of finding intelligent life on Mars before finding intelligent life in Thailand.

Edited for a few typos. It's been a long day.

Edited September 23, 2013 by Just1Voice

[Robbie Dye]

Loose crocodiles of course!