Isaan faces more floods

[webfact]

Isaan faces more floods

By Pratch Rujivanarom 
The Nation

 

 

Officials assure locals they will get timely warnings

 

BANGKOK: -- MORE RAINFALL has been predicted for already inundated swathes of the Northeast, while experts have urged authorities to issue immediate warnings to the public via all available channels if more flooding is possible.

 

Local disaster prevention and mitigation officials reassured residents that they have already prepared for heavy rain and further inundation. They insisted that people would be informed through real-time announcements via community broadcasting systems and social media.

 

 

The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department yesterday issued alerts to local authorities on the risks of flash floods, overflowing rivers and mudslides in the North, Northeast, East and Southwest as torrential rain is expected from today to Sunday.

 

The warning triggered widespread fear of more flooding in submerged areas in the upper Northeast and left people worried about the warning system before the floodwaters rise.

 

Hannarong Yaowalers, chairman of the Thai-Water Partnership, said it was highly likely that there would be more flooding in the Northeast because the area was already soaked.

 

However, he was more concerned about the warning system, as the official warning statement was still too hard for people to understand and was not widely distributed.

 

“I noticed that the statement from the authorities is just a general forecast for the areas which will have heavy rain, but it does not specify the situation in detail, as a result people cannot prepare for the disaster,” he said.

 

Local authorities should summarise the warning statement into a practical disaster preparation plan for their community so that people can understand how big the risk of the coming disaster is and allow them to gear up for what’s to come, he said.

 

Authorities ‘ready’

 

Wichan Taenghin, head of the Kalasin Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, said that the authorities are ready for more downpours this weekend and that local people would get an early warning if there were any risk of flooding.

 

“The Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office has already prepared all the vehicles and equipment to help people from the coming flood. 

 

“We are also working closely with all agencies such as Irrigation Department and local authorities to exchange information and prepare a flood mitigation plan,” he said. “So, people do not have to worry as they will get early warning and real-time updates on the water situation on their local media.”

 

The warning will get to everyone soon enough to let them move their belongings to higher ground and evacuate to a safe area.

 

“We have close cooperation with the Irrigation Department and we have a meeting with them every morning, so we have updated information about the water level in reservoirs and the river, which lets us know the possible flood risk and warn people in time,” he said.

 

For the flood situation in the Northeast, Hannarong cautioned that more flooding was inevitable because waterways cannot take on more water, so agencies should work together and allocate some areas as flood retention ponds to reduce the severity of the flood.

 

“It is very important that authorities provide full and updated information to people, so they can avoid heavy damage to their property and risk to their safety,” he added.

 

According to the statement, the Northeast provinces of Nong Bua, Lamphun, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Udon Thani, Sakhon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Khon Kaen, Roi Et, Kalasin, Yasothon, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani were warned about possible flash floods.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30322721

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-08-04

[Gumballl]

Shouldn't the diagram use the greater-than symbol instead of the less-than symbol for identifying which dams are above a certain threshold?

 

Math skills... completely lacking in Thailand.

[JoeW]

Also the general public tends to say everything will be fine, no need to worry.

[Blackheart1916]

1 hour ago, Gumballl said:

Shouldn't the diagram use the greater-than symbol instead of the less-than symbol for identifying which dams are above a certain threshold?

 

Math skills... completely lacking in Thailand.

My first thought exactly.

[Blackheart1916]

Going up to Khon Kaen next week, maybe an inflatable raft will be better than a taxi?

[Moonlover]

1 hour ago, Gumballl said:

Shouldn't the diagram use the greater-than symbol instead of the less-than symbol for identifying which dams are above a certain threshold?

 

Math skills... completely lacking in Thailand.

If this was purely a mathematical use, you would be right. But it is not, in this context it is being used symbolically, not mathematically.

 

This is, in effect, a form of shorthand. Read in full, the first entry would read:

 

''The amount of water in the reservoirs represented by the red dots is greater than 80% of their capacity''.

 

To me, it makes perfect sense.

 

It's just one of the many examples of 'repurposing of symbols' that has come into vogue since the advent of computers.

[wvavin]

Brains are used to help solve problems and not to create useless graphics & statistic!

[aslimversgwm]

The poor Isaan people as if they don't suffer enough from general poverty and lack of support from the hi-so southern elite.

And now this.

[Bangkok Barry]

43 minutes ago, aslimversgwm said:

The poor Isaan people as if they don't suffer enough from general poverty and lack of support from the hi-so southern elite.

And now this.

Don't buy into the poor Isaan folk nonsense. Many, many households own the latest and biggest pickups and the land they own is worth a fortune if they choose to sell it. The country folk don't spend their money on things they don't need,  such as foreign trips, Having said that though, a member of my family paid hundreds of thousands of baht for a 'special' registration number for their pickup.

[Moonlover]

1 hour ago, wvavin said:

Brains are used to help solve problems and not to create useless graphics & statistic!

Graphics and statistics are often used to solve problems!

[hashmodha]

You know what surprises about this lot is they never use common sense on a ground level..I mean when it chucks it down so fast all the rain water is still on the roads as the gutters and the inlets are all clogged up blocked with mud and other trash.. there are 100s of rai full of water here for the last few months..the other thing there is so much rain water...why haven't they got their act together to provide pure water and charge a few baht for it!?

Sent from my HUAWEI LUA-L21 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[MW72]

2 hours ago, Moonlover said:

If this was purely a mathematical use, you would be right. But it is not, in this context it is being used symbolically, not mathematically.

 

This is, in effect, a form of shorthand. Read in full, the first entry would read:

 

''The amount of water in the reservoirs represented by the red dots is greater than 80% of their capacity''.

 

To me, it makes perfect sense.

 

It's just one of the many examples of 'repurposing of symbols' that has come into vogue since the advent of computers.

Really?

 

From Wikipedia: The less-than sign is a mathematical symbol that denotes an inequality between two values. The widely adopted form of two equal-length strokes connecting in an acute angle at the left, <, has been found in documents dated as far back as the 1560s. In typical mathematical usage, the less-than sign is typically placed between the two values being compared and signals that the first number is less than the second number. Examples of typical usage include ½ < 1 and −2 < 1. Since the development of computer programming languages, the less-than sign and the greater-than sign have been repurposed for a range of uses and operations.

[Moonlover]

12 minutes ago, MW72 said:

Really?

 

From Wikipedia: The less-than sign is a mathematical symbol that denotes an inequality between two values. The widely adopted form of two equal-length strokes connecting in an acute angle at the left, <, has been found in documents dated as far back as the 1560s. In typical mathematical usage, the less-than sign is typically placed between the two values being compared and signals that the first number is less than the second number. Examples of typical usage include ½ < 1 and −2 < 1. Since the development of computer programming languages, the less-than sign and the greater-than sign have been repurposed for a range of uses and operations.

Yes. I can read Wikipedia as well!

 

But like I said, the symbol is not being used mathematically. This no 'Greater or lesser'  in the presentation.

 

Besides, just what is the difference between X>Y and Y<X?

[whaleboneman]

36 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

Yes. I can read Wikipedia as well!

 

But like I said, the symbol is not being used mathematically. This no 'Greater or lesser'  in the presentation.

 

Besides, just what is the difference between X>Y and Y<X?

sometimes you should just admit you're wrong. blue dots represent reservoirs that are greater than 80% and the exact percentages are shown below. i do see one other error - can you spot it?

[MW72]

2 hours ago, Moonlover said:

Yes. I can read Wikipedia as well!

 

But like I said, the symbol is not being used mathematically. This no 'Greater or lesser'  in the presentation.

 

Besides, just what is the difference between X>Y and Y<X?

This is my last on this as the OP is about flooding and the presentation is neither here nor there but....

 

In your first post you state: Read in full, the first entry would read:

 

''The amount of water in the reservoirs represented by the red dots is greater than 80% of their capacity''.

 

Then in your second post you state: "This no 'Greater or lesser'  in the presentation."

 

Which is it?

 

My first response to your post was not so much directed at your claim that the < symbol was not being used in a mathematical sense in the OP, but rather the fact you seem to associate its use as a mathematical symbol since the advent of computers. Quite clearly it has been in use in a mathematical sense for the best part of 500 years. 

 

To answer your question there is no difference between X>Y and Y<X. It is a logical statement.

 

Anyway, here's hoping the weather is not too unkind to the poor folks in the flood zones.

[Moonlover]

2 hours ago, whaleboneman said:

sometimes you should just admit you're wrong. blue dots represent reservoirs that are greater than 80% and the exact percentages are shown below. i do see one other error - can you spot it?

The originator of this presentation has come up with a clear and concise way of representing the state of the reservoirs in the north east region. It is not mathematical, therefore the strict norms that govern maths need not be applied. I see no reason why the author should not be allowed to use symbols in the way he feels best. IMO this is quite acceptable.

 

Perhaps those who may be critical of this presentation would like to don their thinking caps and come up with a better way!

 

The error to which you refer is probably that Bueng Kan should have a red dot. 

 

 

[HOOD Robin]

10 hours ago, Gumballl said:

Shouldn't the diagram use the greater-than symbol instead of the less-than symbol for identifying which dams are above a certain threshold?

 

Math skills... completely lacking in Thailand.

 

Shows the education level in Land of Scams.....     

[Hereinthailand]

These old dams that have never been dredged or maintained are so silted in i wouldn't believe any numbers about their storage capacity. 

[SunsetT]

11 hours ago, Gumballl said:

Shouldn't the diagram use the greater-than symbol instead of the less-than symbol for identifying which dams are above a certain threshold?

 

Math skills... completely lacking in Thailand.

.....Yes............... How can 41% of reservoirs have more than 100% of total storage? Were they built by the Irish?  

[thaiguzzi]

10 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Don't buy into the poor Isaan folk nonsense. Many, many households own the latest and biggest pickups and the land they own is worth a fortune if they choose to sell it. The country folk don't spend their money on things they don't need,  such as foreign trips, Having said that though, a member of my family paid hundreds of thousands of baht for a 'special' registration number for their pickup.

Maybe.

Some.

But your "nonsense" also does not equate to a tin roof shack, with used S/H floorboards for walls, no windows and an old curtain for the front door.

And a knackered old moped shared between 3 generations of the same family.

 

[KhunBENQ]

19 hours ago, SunsetT said:

.....Yes............... How can 41% of reservoirs have more than 100% of total storage? Were they built by the Irish?  

Is this a serious question?

If so: sure it sounds strange but it exists.

More than 100% is over the limit that a dam should carry over a longer period of time.

Kind of "shortly before spillover", "shortly before breaking".

If you live in the vicinity of such a dam you should be concerned.

At a certain point they have to release water for whatever consequence.

[SunsetT]

2 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

Is this a serious question?

If so: sure it sounds strange but it exists.

More than 100% is over the limit that a dam should carry over a longer period of time.

Kind of "shortly before spillover", "shortly before breaking".

If you live in the vicinity of such a dam you should be concerned.

At a certain point they have to release water for whatever consequence.

I understand what u r saying but in that case 'total'  was the wrong word to use. 'Normal storage capacity' or 'Recommended storage capacity' would have been correct. But hey! the writer is only a 'professional journalist' and writing supposed to be his/her chosen craft and what they are being paid to do. We cant really expect them to write clearly and unambiguously can we?

[robblok]

Id love to know what YL and her government has done after 2011 and what Prayut has done.. Seems they both did not do much flood wise.. Big words but that is it. Both failing the people completely.

 

I wonder if the local authorities get enough budget for maintenance and dredging of these dams and if they do get enough budget.. are they perhaps skimming money. There should be a big investigation about how flood money has been spend because it does not look like much.

 

In my neighborhood they started to build a sluice after the 2011 floods.. its still not finished.. work was halted on it for a long time and now they started again. I really wonder sometimes how efficient stuff is here and how much is skimmed.

 

All those dams in that area at such a high capacity that bodes not well for the people living there.. water will have to be discharged adding to the misery, but better a controlled release then a broken dam.

 

I doubt the flooding over there will be solved soon, I hope the army brings in more help. It sucks being flooded, some people don't want to leave as they worry about theft and so. Many cars will be destroyed, this is going to cost the area a lot money. Sad for the people over there.

[rickudon]

The diagram in the opening post bears little relation to the 'official' water storage figures on Thaiwater.net. I know they are not  looking at the same data, but the difference is considerable, I wonder why? Is it that a lot of smaller dams do not get reported on Thaiwater, and they are all full?

 

http://www.thaiwater.net/DATA/REPORT/php/rid_dam_1.php?lang=en

[Gary A]

We are about 50 kilometers south of Loei city. After the last rainy season ended, they way more than doubled the size of the reservoir. It was free dirt for everyone for a couple of months. It was already a huge reservoir and it is now bigger and deeper. Now there are many more built up homesites and rice paddies filled in to convert to sugar cane.  And yes, the reservoir is full. Money well spent.

[Gumballl]

On 8/4/2017 at 4:04 AM, Moonlover said:

Perhaps those who may be critical of this presentation would like to don their thinking caps and come up with a better way!

 

I thought I had already suggested a better way.

 

From you posts, all I could gauge is that you ended up grouping yourself with the mathematically challenged folks at The Nation.

 

Below is a better diagram that illustrates what I believe The Nation was attempting to convey regarding the status of the various dams:

 

 

For the dams marked with a red pin indicator, these are currently over 80% of their capacity limits (whoa.. danger!).  Those with a blue pin are between 51% and 80% of their capacity limits.  Etc.

 

Now, as for randomly choosing to use mathematical symbols to represent data however one wants, this is plain stupid unless the goal is to create a cryptic message that no one else understands.  I cannot think of any reason why a less than symbol would be used in the diagram above, unless one wants to convey that the volume of the dams marked with the red pin are less than 80% full, thus conveying to the reader that although concerning, there's really nothing to worry about.  If my diagram is used and a dam is more than 80% full, then people should show concern... and I believe this is why a red colored pin (which typically is used to denote danger) was chosen.

 

[jeab1980]

Just as the water in village was receding the bloody heavens opened up yet again last night 3 hrs of torrential rain seemed as if the rain clouds had stalled over us. Needless to say the water is back up to previous levels in the village houses.