Shake, rattle and roll

[Flashermac]

BANGKOK POST

1 Aug 2005

 

Just warnings about quakes 'not enough'

Evacuation plans near dam sites wanted

 

by PIYARACH CHONGCHAROEN

 

 

Kanchanaburi - Residents of this quake-prone province, especially those living below two major dams, find their concern growing every time an earthquake strikes the area.

 

The two dams they have been living close to for decades -- Srinakarin and Vajiralongkorn -- were built right on top of the Si Sawat and Three-Pagoda sub-fault lines.

 

A powerful earthquake of seven or more on the Richter scale in Burma could destroy the dams in a matter of minutes.

 

In the past, whenever an earthquake has hit the region there have been warnings about dam-collapse from academics, followed, as usual, by safety assurances from the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) and provincial authorities, and nothing else.

 

This was also the case when an earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale recently struck near India's Andaman and Nicobar islands in the Indian Ocean.

 

Unlike Egat, the Indian Ocean tremor prompted the National Disaster Warning Centre to issue alerts along the two sub-fault lines. All the Egat said was that the dams were very sturdy and built to withstand earthquakes.

 

Yupa Piw-ondee, a villager in Ban Ta Manao in Muang district near Srinakarin dam, said an early warning system and a realistic evacuation plan were far better than words of reassurance.

 

"Panic strikes every time a quake hits the area because of a lack of safety measures," she said.

 

Duangpa Limpsunthon, a resort operator, said the villagers could never feel secure as long as they were being fed confusing information. "It even adds to the frustration because they don't know who to believe," she said.

 

Vichai Lorsiri, president of the hoteliers, resort and golf club operators association, said after living in fear for 25 years the residents deserve 'tangible' assurances.

 

"They can't simply say the dams won't collapse. They are man-made and vulnerable. We must admit it can happen and try to minimise the risk," he said.

 

Pinant Chotirosseranee, president of the Kanchanaburi Conservation Group, urged Egat and provincial authorities to disclose the contingency plans they have drawn up to allay fears of local residents.

 

"An emergency plan is a double-edged sword. It may cause panic and hurt the tourism industry. It's a sensitive issue," he said.

 

Pairat Supakanchanakanti, of the Campaign Network for Anti-earthquake Measures in Kanchanaburi, said the authorities should not deny or ignore risks associated with earthquakes. "We need sound risk management plans," he said.