Storage Dams Are At Critical Levels - Flood Alert

[Jai Dee]

Royal Irrigation Department reports that Bhumibol and Pasak Cholasit Dams can take in only little volume of water

The Royal Irrigation Department has reported that the water levels in Bhumibol and Pasak Cholasit Dams will reach their critical levels.

The Center for Coordinating and Monitoring the Water Situation under the Royal Irrigation Department said the total volume of water in huge dams across Thailand is now at 65,001 million cubic meters, or 95 percent of total storage. The current volume of water is 10,625 million cubic meters more than last year’s volume.

Bhumibol Dam can hold 13,294 million cubic meters of water, but the dam can only obtain an additional 168 million cubic meters of water. At the same time, Pasak Cholasit Dam has a space for just 44 million cubic meters of water.

The water speed in Chao Phraya River at Nakhon Sawan (นครสวรรค์) today is measured at 5,850 cubic meters per second. The Royal Irrigation Department has managed the excess water by diverting the water it to the fields in the West of Chao Phraya River at 629 cubic meters per second and to the fields in the East of Chao Phraya River at 2,321 cubic meters per second.

The water levels in the canals of Bangkok have also increased, and the water in Yom River has overflowed into the residential areas of Krairas District and other nearby districts in Nakhon Sawan Province.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 October 2006

[John K]

A map would be nice, I don’t know where these places are.

[george]

Bangkok residents warned of more serious flooding

BANGKOK: -- Relevant officials are scrambling to warn local people in Bangkok's flood-prone districts that more serious flooding is on the way.

The runoff water from the North already reached Pathum Thani and was going to burst into the capital soon.

The prospect looked even gloomy, because the high-tide period was forecast between October 23 and October 25. The risky areas in the capital were Nong Chok, Khlong Sam Wa and Lat Krabang districts.

"We are closely monitoring the situation. Also, our officials have visited local people to explain to them about floods," Nong Chok District Office's director Sawetchai Sapboonmee said Thursday.

He said floodwater in his district already stood at between 10 and 20 centimetres as of Thursday.

"With the runoff water from the North, the flooding situation is going to aggravate," he added.

--The Nation 2006-10-19

[Tony Clifton]

I hope they'll wisely and safely manage the surplus for some areas downstream with upcoming dry season and the seemingly inevitable yearly droughts.

[Cyberstar]

So ... Bangkok might get flooded in a few days? ... What a surprice, hopefully nobody are caught unprepared ... or what?

[Johpa]

I hope they'll wisely and safely manage the surplus for some areas downstream with upcoming dry season and the seemingly inevitable yearly droughts.

I daresay that once storage capacity behind the dams hits 100% there is little in the way of management that is possible. At that point one only hopes they have enough sense to save the dams from bursting.

[Jai Dee]

Minister of Interior concerned about inundation problem in the South

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation says that inundation in the lower central part of Thailand is still in crisis. The department also warns those who live on both banks of the Chao Phraya River to prepare to handle the increasing volume of flood water.

Moreover, the bailing out of flood water during October 24-26 may aggravate the situation in the area, which continues to be affected from the gulf-bound northern stream.

Mr. Aree Wong-araya (อารีย์ วงศ์อารยะ), Minister of Interior revealed that he had met with M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula (ปรีดิยาธร เทวกุล), Deputy PM and Finance Minister to discuss the budget constraints for the inundated victims. Due to the fact that the regular budget of 50 million baht per province might not be enough to solve the problems because the situation is getting more and more acute. Renovation of all affected regions is necessary.

Mr. Aree also expressed concern over the atmospheric pressure which is moving toward the South starting from Phetchburi next week. He will call a meeting with governors of all southern provinces on October 21, 2006 to lay down assistance guidelines for the sufferers.

As for today- October 20, 2006- Mr. Aree will go to inspect the inundated areas in Uthai Thani and Suphan Buri to encourage and provide them aid.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

Inundation cautions at the lower central area

The Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Mr. Anucha Mokkhavesa (อนุชา โมกขะเวส), said the water in Chao Phraya River tends to decrease in areas such as Nakhon Sawan Province and Chao Phraya Dam, while Bhumibol and Sirikit Dams are reducing the volume of water being released. However, the lower central provinces such as Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, and Chai Nat are continually inundated.

This year’s flood crisis is deemed worse than the one in 1995, and from October 23rd to 26th, residents in Bangkok and the lower central region must be cautioned as the seawater will continue to rise at about 30 to 40 cm. Sandbags have been added on to the riverbanks to prepare for the incoming water.

As a result from the diversion of floodwater to irrigation areas such as the eastern and western sides of Chao Phraya River as well as the lower areas in the East and West of Chao Phraya Dam, cautions need to be taken during October 24th to 26th.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

Death toll from Thai, Myanmar floods reaches 127

BANGKOK (AFP) - The death toll from severe flooding in Thailand and neighboring Myanmar has reached 127 as Thai weather authorities warned of more heavy rains over the weekend in the country's south.

At least 108 people have died in Thailand since severe flooding began in late August in the country's central and northern provinces, the interior ministry said in a statement.

The death toll soared overnight after the ministry confirmed that 25 people reported dead earlier were confirmed to be flood victims.

The water that inundated northern Thailand was slowly working its way south, but 16 central provinces were still suffering from the floods, the ministry said.

At its peak earlier in the month, the flooding, triggered by heavy rains from Typhoon Xangsane, affected 46 of the nation's 76 provinces.

In neighboring Myanmar, 19 people died in floods across central and eastern parts of the country, but in most places there, the water has already subsided.

Source: AFP - 20 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

7 villages Chon Buri have been flooded for 2 months

Seven villages in Tambon Tha Kam, Panasnikom District of Chon Buri Province, have been flooded for almost two months without getting any help from government agencies.

28 Tambons in Panasnikom and Pan Thong districts in Chon Buri have been flooded. The areas suffered from inundation for the longest time are those seven villages in Tambon Tha Kam, Panasnikom District where houses, agricultural areas, and roads are still submerged under water.

This long last flood mostly due to a lot of water hyacinth in canals which obstructs water courses flowing to Bang Pakong River. Some canals are completely covered by the weed.

Ex-chief of Tambon Tha Kam local administration organization Manu Wathaniyanont (มนู วทานิยานนท์) said the local residents from all walks of life have been affected by the flood situation. Every road in Tambon Tha Kam has been submerged and so far there has been no government agency to improve the situation.

Regarding a government initiation by which flood victims can submit photographs of their inundation-affected belongings and identification documents to get compensated, Mr Wathaniyanont said this relief effort was not practical since all roads were submerged and some flood victims had no camera.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

Commercial Operation Center helps out people who are affected by flood and winter hazards

The Commercial Operation Center under the Ministry of Commerce is aiding the people who have been affected by the flood disaster and winter hazards. The center has also launched a hotline service at 02-507-5555, and this hotline is supported by 10 telephone lines, so people can give their complaints more successfully.

The Commerce Minister, Mr. Krikkrai Jiraphaet, revealed that the Commercial Operation Center has been set up to improve the coordination between various agencies in helping the troubled residents in different provinces. Moreover, the center will help restore the damaged areas and prevent trade operators from overstocking their products. The center will also assist the people in different types of insurances such as life, health, accident, house, property and car insurances.

Mr. Krikkrai said further that the Department of Internal Trade and the Public Warehouse Organization are preparing to sell many products at lower prices to the flood-hit people in various provinces.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

Public Health officials relieve flood situation in Roi-et

The recent flood disaster has raided into farmlands and households in many provinces of Thailand, including Roi-et Province. Six districts in Roi-et are experiencing flood problems, and the provincial public health office has gathered a team of roving medical personnel from community and district hospitals to take care of the local flood-affected people free of charge. The medical team has already medicated over 500 residents throughout the province.

Md. Suvarnachai Wattanacharoenchai, a physician in Roi-et, is leading the mobile medical team to different flooded areas in the province, to medicate patients and give out medicines to the people. They visited Don Kaew Village in Tambon Bung Ngam, and serviced 60 ailing residents as well as distributing boots to the villagers. The local people are cautioned of flood-related diseases such as Leptospirosis, Eye Conjunctivitis, and Hand, Foot and Mouth diseases. Tambon Bung Ngam area has been flooded for over 20 days.

Md. Suvarnachai said the local public health officers are working on three tasks, including inspecting the flooded areas, examining the affected people in order to tend them, and educating the locals of ways to protect themselves from flood-related diseases. The officers have so far given out medicines to more than 500 patients, and most of them have suffered from Eye Conjunctivitis, Hand, Foot and Mouth disease, and digestive illnesses.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

HM the King grants supplies to flood victims in Ang Thong

His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej has graciously granted supplies to 2,000 flood-affected households in Ang Thong Province.

Today (Oct 19), Rajaprachanukroh Foundation Deputy Secretary Disthorn Watcharothai (ดิสธร วัชโรทัย), a representative of HM the King, has distributed supplies to the residences in Ang Thong, the province that receives the most impact from the flood disaster. The total number of flood victims who have received the supplies is 18,033.

Meanwhile, the Housewives Association of the Ministry of Interior led by Mrs. Duangjai Mokkawes (ดวงใจ โมกขะเวส) has prepared food and distributed 1,000 of relief supplies to the affected residents.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

Heavy rains expected in the South

The Southern Meteorological Center announces that heavy rains are expected in the lower South of Thailand.

Stronger east wind blowing across the Gulf of Thai and the southern region brings almost widespread thundershowers and isolated heavy to very heavy rain in some areas of the lower east side of the region.

Residents living in the lower east provinces of Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, and Songkhla are warned of heavy rains and flash flood in the next two days.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

Interior Minister says flood in Suphan Buri city is first time in history

Interior Minister Aree Wong-araya (อารีย์ วงศ์อารยะ) traveled to Uthai Thani and Suphan Buri to follow up on the flood situation in the two provinces, admitting the severity of the floods but predicting that the situation would improve within this week.

After inspecting the flooding in Uthai Thani and Suphan Buri provinces, Mr. Aree admitted the flood situation this year was more severe than in 1995. In Uthai Thani the most affected area is Muang (เมือง) district, with some people having lost access to their residences. However the provincial administration has already moved in to tend to these people.

The Interior Minister said that as for Suphan Buri, it is the first time in history that the city area is flooded, and this is very worrying as the city is an economic zone. However he expects the problems to become lessened within this wCeek.

Regarding the paying of compensation for people hit by this round of flood, Mr. Aree said this would go according to existing procedures.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 21 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

People in eastern Bangkok accept their plight caused by flood

People living in eastern Bangkok accept their plight caused by flood problems as unavoidable, while requesting relevant units to rapidly give them assistance.

The huge volume of water hit many eastern districts of Bangkok, including Lat Krabang (ลาดกระบัง), Minburi (มีนบุรี), Nong Chok (หนองจอก), and Klong Sam Wa (คลองสามวา), and now the water has turned polluted. Local residents said that they have to accept their fate as they live in lowland and the volume of water is much more than that in the past. However, they still need relief assistance.

Mrs. Pornthip Thongdee (พรทิพย์ ทองดี), a villager in Nong Chok District, said that her village had faced with the problem for about a month and none of the related agencies have given assistance to her village yet, not even a survival kit.

Nong Chok is an agricultural district, and about 40,000 rai of agricultural areas have been damaged.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

BOT reveals flood situation causes damage worth 17 billion baht

Acting Governor of the Bank of Thailand (BOT) Tarisa Wattanagase (ธาริษา วัฒนเกศ ) reveals that the flood situation now causes damage worth over 17 billion baht to the national economy.

The BOT's preliminary evaluation of the flood damage puts the current figure at 17 billion baht, which is considered minimal when compared with the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 7.7 trillion baht.

She said that the flood situation is not expected to affect prices of vegetables much both in short and long terms. The BOT will evaluate the damage again after the flood situation has died down.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

RID reports a decrease in volume of water in Nakhon Sawan Province

The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has revealed the latest flood situation in Nakhon Sawan,saying the volume of water has decreased by 165 cubic meters per second from yesterday, making the current speed of water flowing through the Province at 5,520 cubic meters per second.

Besides, the water flowing through the Chao Praya (เจ้าพระยา) Dam is now at 4,096 cubic meters per second which has been reduced by 92 cubic meters per second. The volume of water in Nakhon Sawan is continuously decreasing.

As for water management in the East side of the Chao Phraya River, the department reported that water has been diverted to fields, sea, and rivers. Currently, 421 million cubic meters of flood water have already been diverted from Bangkok and its perimeter.

However, the department has warned people in flood-prone provinces, including Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Bangkok and Samut Prakarn, to be cautious of possible flood during the high tide from October 23rd to 26th. Besides, officials will reinforce floodwalls and closely follow up the water situation in the province.

People can ask for more information at RID telephone number 0-2243-6956, 0-2241-0740-9 ext 2768 or at its website, www.rid.go.th.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

HRH the Crown Prince and HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana provide survival kits to flood victims

Another 1,000 sets of survival kits donated by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana (สิริวัณณวรี นารีรัตน์) have been handed out to flood victims in Hantra (หันตรา) District, Ayutthaya (อยุธยา) Province.

At 11.30 hours yesterday, Mr. Permsak Srithongsurapana (เพิ่มศักดิ์ ศรีทองสุรภณา), Deputy Governor of Ayutthaya, represented His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana (สิริวัณณวรี นารีรัตน์) in distributing the relief packages to people in Huntra district.

Huntra District consists of six villages. About 1,000 households of the district have been suffering flood problems for over two weeks. The flood has caused by Pasak (ป่าสัก) River which overflows into residential areas. Besides, the flood has caused great damage to agricultural areas.

The local residents and farmers are reportedly waiting for assistance from the provincial officers who will rapidly evaluate the damage and pay compensation to the local people after the flood has receded.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 October 2006

[mouse]

When will someone think of the simplest of methods to avoid these annual problems and start a project where the rivers of Thailand are dredged and thus deepened allowing for more volume and even eventual riverboat tourism?

[Jai Dee]

Ang Thong province is rapidly addressing the flood at its 100-year-old fresh market

Ang Thong province is rapidly addressing the flood at its 100-year-old fresh market.

Ang Thong governor Wiboon Sa_nguanphong (วิบูลย์ สงวนพงศ์) has sent in soldiers and volunteers from several organizations into Wiset Chaichan (วิเศษไชยชาญ) market, a 100-year-old market in the district of the same name. The market has become flooded since yesterday.

Sandbags have been put up to prevent more water from entering the market, and water pumps have been installed to drain out the inundation. If no more water gushes in from the Chao Phraya river the water flooding the market should be pumped out within today.

Wiset Chaichan market had gone through a fire at the beginning of this year, and the provincial administration is determined to restore this historical site as soon as it can.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 October 2006

[plachon]

When will someone think of the simplest of methods to avoid these annual problems and start a project where the rivers of Thailand are dredged and thus deepened allowing for more volume and even eventual riverboat tourism?

Not as simple as it may seem Mouse. That great brain and luminary, Toxin, The last govt. put aside 200 Billion baht of the country's budget for "solving the country's water problems", including drought and floods. This vast sum included massive amounts for dredging and straightening Thai rivers, following obsolete Western theory and practice from yesteryear. This is despite an expensive project in his hometown of Chaing Mai approved by the man himself in 2001 or so, where the Harbours Dept. dredged and removed all the vegetation from the banks of the river for several kms upstream of the city centre. They basically massacred every tree in site and dumped tonnes of silt up the banks, creating a featureless canal,of the sort popular in US and Europe before river managers became a bit more enlightened about geomorphological and hydrological processes (although they are still learning - New Orleans being a sobering example).

Anyway, point is, this exercise probably had zero impact on mitigating flooding in Chaing Mai and probably may have exacerbated it, as the bare banks would have encouraged increased erosion and becuase of poor land management practices upstream, the river channel probably quickly silted up again. Note how Chiang Mai has been badly flooded several times over past couple of years, not that rain has got particularly heavier or worse. It's just that unless you take a whole of basin and multi-disciplinary approach to river management (including not building on floodplains in first place!), then there are no quick-fix solutions to a natural phenomenon like flooding on tropical floodplain river systems. In the case of the Chao Phraya system, its natural hydrology has been massively altered in any case, by thousands of small and large dams and construction of a giant irrigations system in the Delta, not to mention roads, houses, buildings, etc., by the million, yet still it keeps on flooding when the run-off exceeds the ability of the river to drain it to the sea, which is never going to change, until we learn to live with floods a bit better than at present.

[Jai Dee]

School term starting date for schools in Pathum Thaini postponed due to flood

Schools in Pathum Thani Province postponed the school term starting date to October 30 due to flood crisis.

Acting Second Lieutenant Trakul Totham (ว่าที่ ร.ต.ตระกูล โทธรรม), Chief of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Division in Pathum Thani, said today water passing through the Chao Phraya River at 3,621 cubic meters/second. The water level is 3.30 meters, lower by 2 centimeters.

Meanwhile, the Pathum Thani Technical College and local schools under the Department of General Education postpone the school term start from October 24 to October 30 as most areas in the province have been submerged and the possible high tide is expected during the 23rd-25th of this month.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

OPDC officers help the inundation victims in Nakhon Sawan

Khunying Thipawadi Meksawan as Minister attached to the PM’s Office, will send the officers from the Office of the Public sector Development Commission (OPDC) to the inundated area in Nakhon Sawan to help plan for compensations to the victims.

The officers will be sent next week, according Khunying Thipawadi. These officers will then arrange the proposal asking for the supporting fund from the center. They will also help speed up the budget process to help those victims. The provincial officers themselves are so busy helping the victims that they have no time to arrange for the fund.

Moreover, Khunying Thipawadi also urged all involved institutes to help the victims by donating clean drinking water, instant foods, mosquito-repellant, mosquito-net, boats and transistors to update the ongoing news. Furthermore, the donations will help relieve the stress of all victims.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 October 2006

[ding]

I've been told that the mosquitoes will be a real hazzard, especially afterward.

[bkkandrew]

I've been told that the mosquitoes will be a real hazzard, especially afterward.

Does this mean that Boss Hogg will have to deal with it??

Edited October 22, 2006 by bkkandrew

[Dupree]

I am supposed to start my vacation in BKK on Oct28 then to phkt for a week Nov 4. I'm considering postponing till the Rains calm dowm. Any thoughts on how much trouble I could be headed for if I do go ahead with my plans?

Dupree

[Jai Dee]

Phatthalung locals are warned of possible floods and landslides

The Governor of Phatthalung Province, Mr. Prajak Suvarnapakdee, cautions people living in lowlands or near mountainous areas of possible flood hazards and landslides.

According to Mr. Prajak, Phatthalung is facing heavy rainfall from now until this December. As a result, the local residents, especially the ones living in lowlands or near mountains, have experienced forest floods every year during this period. Therefore, they are advised to follow the weather updates closely and prepared to evacuate with their children, elder members, and belongings if certain hazards occur. Necessities such as rice, dried food, drinking water, fuel, flashlight, medicines, and communication devices should be prepared for at least seven days following the possible disasters.

The province of Phatthalung has set up a special center to aid people of such disasters around the clock. People can also contact their respective Tambon Administrative Organizations or district offices for assistance, or they can call the special center at 0-7461-1652 or 0-7462-0300.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

FTCMO and SET donated 650 lifebuoys for offcials to use during flood relief efforts

The Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations and the Stock Exchange of Thailand handed 650 lifebuoys to the Permanent Secretary for Public Health Ministry, Md. Prat Boonyawongvirot.

Lifebuoys will be distributed to volunteers who are aiding the flood-hit people. In the meantime, another 60 medical officers from the provinces of Nakhon Ratchasima (นครราชสีมา), Chonburi (ชลบุรี), and Nakhon Patom (นครปฐม) have been dispatched to assist the victims in the central region.

Currently, the recent flood crisis has affected 507,030 patients in the country.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 October 2006