Thailand Floods Of 2013

[Flashermac]

Rising waters rival previous flood, raising Sa Kaeo fears

 

 

Sa Kaeo remained cut off by widespread floods Monday, raising fears the deluge could be worse than the massive flooding in the province in 2011.

 

In Muang district, Highway 359 (Aranyaprathet-Kao Hinson) and a 1-kilometre section of Highway 33 (Kabin Buri-Sa Kaeo) were under 50cm of water. The routes were impassible to motorists.

 

In Aranyaprathet municipality, Promhod canal burst its banks, turning the normally bustling border town into a swamp, with floodwaters reaching 1.5m deep in some areas.

 

The flooding has stoked fears among locals that this year's floods could be more critical than those of 2011, when a three-day deluge in Aranyaprathet caused economic losses of more than 100 million baht.

 

Combined forces of rescue workers, police and soldiers in the district are helping residents.

 

The overflowing Promhod canal also flooded Cambodia's Poipet town opposite Aranyaprathet.

 

Authorities are now worried the massive volume of water could pour into Khlong Luek, which could aggravate the flooding in the Rong Kluea border market in Aranyaprathet.

 

The floods that have submerged the market since Sunday subsided to about 10cm Monday.

 

Meanwhile, flooding in Prachin Buri has worsened.

 

Massive volumes of floodwater from Sa Kaeo brought more floods to Kabin Buri district with a key market in tambon Kabin submerged under 1.3m of water.

 

The water level in Ban Sang and Si Maha Phot districts was also reported to be more than 1m deep.

 

The rising water level also forced the State Railway of Thailand to suspend rail services between Aranyaprathet and Wattananakorn stations.

 

In Chanthaburi's Pong Nam Ron district, a 48-year-old man was swept away by strong currents which submerged a bridge in tambon Khlong Yai. Arthit Pangket's body was retrieved later from the water.

 

Several outlying areas of the province were still affected by forest runoff.

 

Heavy rains also triggered floods in the western part of the country.

 

In Ratchaburi's Suan Phung district, forest runoff increased the Phachee waterway level, damaging two bridges and swamping a riverside property.

 

Provincial rescue workers had to be sent in to help residents of more than 30 households trapped in Ban Thung Kula in tambon Tranaosri.

 

Kanchanaburi governor Chaiwat Limwattana said the rising level of the Phachee waterway is threatening low-lying areas in Dan Makham Tia and Muang districts.

 

He also warned locals to move their belongings to higher ground and ordered all district chiefs to go on standby to supervise flood relief operations around the clock.

 

In Prachuap Khiri Khan's Hua Hin district, the flood in the municipality area has eased as authorities drained water into the sea.

 

Pongnaret, Hua Na and Kao Takiab villages, however, were still under 50-70cm of water.

 

In the western part of the district, runoff from the Tranaosri mountain range cut off Huay Sat Yai village, which prompted authorities to close the Pa La-u waterfall for the sake of tourist safety.

 

Floods were also reported in Sam Roi Yot district.

 

More than 1,000 households have been hit by floods in Hua Hin and Sam Roi Yot districts.

 

In the Central Plains, surging water levels in the Chao Phraya River swamped tambon Ban Krachang of Pathum Thani's Muang district, affecting more than 300 homes.

 

Tambon Ban Krachang administrative organisation chief Winai Nateprarit said heavy rain over three days and the accelerated release of water from the Pasak Cholasid dam have raised the level of the Chao Phraya River.

 

In Sam Khok district, communities near Wat Thai Ko Yai in tambon Bang Krabue have been flooded for seven days with water reaching up to 50cm deep.

 

In Nonthaburi municipality, the Chao Phraya River overflowed its banks and flooded riverside communities near the Thanam Non area.

 

Local administrators had to raise the flood wall made with sandbags from 2.3m up to 2.7m in an effort to guard against further flooding in the area.

 

In Bangkok, the high tide in the Chao Phraya River flooded a community near Bavorn Mongkol jetty in Charan Sanitwong Soi 46 of Bang Phlat district Monday.

 

According to the head of the local community, floods affected houses behind Bavorn Mongkol police station, which are unprotected by flood barriers.

 

The floodwater also penetrated the flood wall by way of sewers and cracked concrete roads in front of the station.

 

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Drainage and Sewerage Department has been asked to provide more sandbags and water pumps to drain water from the area.

 

 

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/373513/rising-waters-rival-previous-flood-raising-sa-kaeo-fears

[Flashermac]

Kabin Buri officials accused of failing to aid flood relief

 

 

PRACHIN BURI ― Flood-affected residents in Kabin Buri municipality on Tuesday condemned local authorities for failing to help them, accusing officials of shunting the burden of relief operations onto private rescue workers and soldiers.

 

The town centre was hit by flash floods on Monday night, forcing many people to leave their homes. But rescue workers and soldiers were only able to provide inadequate flat-bottomed boats to evacuate them.

 

Floods were caused by heavy rain and water from the Phra Prong River in Sa Kaeo's Muang district flowing into the Hanuman River. Together, the two rivers form the Prachin Buri River in the district.

 

Flood levels in Kabin Buri measured 1.5 metres, with reports of water levels up to a maximum of 1.7 metre in some spots.

 

Residents slammed the mayor of Kabin Buri Rangsan Bootnian for failing to buy boats for emergency use, despite that fact that the district was hit by flooding every year, meaning evacuation efforts depended on rescue workers’ and soldiers’ boats.

 

They also complained that local authorities did not set up sufficient tents to distribute drinking water and food to the public.

 

Anant Arsa, a member of the Sawarng Bumpen Rescue Foundation, said providing practical help to flood-hit people was left to private rescue workers, while administrative officials merely issued orders to tackle the deluge through radio communications.

 

Although foundation staff received orders from a district office chief, he said they could not coordinate works with village headmen and kamnans - who would not listen to them - resulting in disjointed relief missions.

 

In the past two weeks, Mr Anant said rescue workers were forced to take charge of almost all flood relief duties, including arranging food for about 300 soldiers deployed to help in the area.

 

A military officer responsible for local relief operations said soldiers were ready to help when authorities sought their assistance. However, they faced difficulties in performing their duties because of a lack of support in terms of necessary equipment and food.

 

The officer, who declined to be named, said he and his men worked from early in the morning until noon, but were not given food by municipality officials.

 

“I asked the deputy district chief, who contacted us for help, but was told that I should coordinate with other agencies to get the food,†the officer said.

 

“When I asked if he would come to set up a rescue tent to help people, he said he could not come out of district office because the road was flooded. We are soldiers and should be able to depend on another governmental agency for equipment and food while working, not a private rescue unit.â€

 

Water levels continued to rise in Kabin Buri market on Tuesday. All residents are expected to move out of their homes because authorities are planning to cut off electricity and tap water is beginning to be contaminated with flood water.

 

Many home owners have put up banners with messages attacking the authorities -- especially Prachin Buri governor Jittra Promchutima - for being slow in helping them. One banner bears a sarcastic message reading: “house with nice floating market view for saleâ€.

 

A section of Road 304 from Sarm Taharn Community intersection to Panom Sarakarm, which connects with hospitals and government offices in Kabin Buri, is inundated with water and impassable for small vehicles.

 

Kabin Buri is one of four districts flooded in Prachin Buri, although the overall situation in the province is improving, according to the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department.

 

An update from the department meanwhile warned of rising water levels in Chachoengsao, Sa Kaeo, Ayutthaya and Sing Buri provinces.

 

Floods are still affecting 28 provinces, two million people and have claimed 36 lives, it added.

 

The Natural Disaster Warning Centre also put out an alert about flooding in Prachin Buri and Sa Kaeo.

 

The issue of flooding was tabled for discussion at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

 

Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi told other ministers that water in flooded areas of Prachin Buri and Sa Kaeo would be completely drained in 10 days if no more rain hit the two provinces, deputy government spokesman Pakdiharn Himathongkham said.

 

In Ayutthaya, water from the Pasak River was seeping through the flood wall built two years ago, causing flooding in some areas of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district.

 

In Pathum Thani, the Chao Phraya River continues to overflow its banks in Muang and Sam Khok districts, according to Charn Puangphet, chief of the Prathum Thani Provincial Administration Organisation.

 

 

http://www.bangkokpo...plan-for-floods

[Flashermac]

Floods threaten Bangkok river taxis

 

 

The Chao Phraya express boat may be forced to suspend services temporarily if water levels in the river rise further, its operator warned Tuesday.

 

Chao Phraya Express Boat co-managing director Prinya Rakwathin said the water level in the river is being monitored constantly.

 

He said the company is working closely with the Royal Irrigation Department and will suspend passenger boat services if it finds water levels have climbed too high.

 

Staff have also been ordered to inspect life-jackets and other equipment to ensure passenger safety in case of an emergency, he said.

 

Bangkok governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra warned earlier that the Chao Phraya could rise to 2m above sea level on Oct 15-16. It is currently about 1.8m above sea level.

 

For some, the "river taxis" are an alternative to beat the traffic, while tourists like the cheap and extensive river tours they offer.

 

 

http://www.bangkokpo...kok-river-taxis

[Coss]

One would have thought, that the river, though higher, was still flat and navigable.

 

I guess it's the embarkation points that are underwater, or maybe the passengers have been washed away...

[cavanami]

They have floating docks, but within limits...water gets too high, the dock hits the limits...

[Flashermac]

25 provinces still flooded, death toll 42

 

 

Twenty-five provinces remain flooded and the death toll from the crisis has reached 42, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department reported on Sunday.

 

The current floods affect 982,799 people in 5,542 villages of 116 districts. A total of 7,376 flood-hit people have been evacuated to safer grounds.

 

The flood situation in 17 provinces has eased. The provinces are Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Phayao, Lampang, Kamphaeng Phet, Uthai Thani, Kalasin, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, Chumphon, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Yasothon, Nakhon Sawan, Chanthaburi, Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi.

 

 

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/374452/25-provinces-still-flooded-death-toll-42

[Flashermac]

Typhoon Nari to hit Wednesday

 

 

 

 

As flooding subsides in several provinces, officials hope a new typhoon will stay on course by moving through northeastern Thailand and weakening over land instead of passing over inundated eastern and central provinces.

 

The Office of National Water and Flood Management Policy and the Meteorological Department are keeping an eye on the movements of Typhoon Nari, which hammered the Philippines on Saturday and is expected to move inland from Vietnam next week.

 

Nari is expected to hit Vietnam on Tuesday and Wednesday before weakening to a tropical storm and depression, causing light to moderate rainfall in Thailand, the department said on Saturday.

 

The current projection by the weather forecast agency is that it will enter Thailand over the Northeast sometime on Wednesday as a tropical storm, quickly deteriorating to a depression.

 

Supoj Tovichakchaikul, secretary-general of the water management agency, said he hoped that Nari would move toward the North and help fill the Bhumibol Dam in Tak, which is currently only 47% full capacity.

 

But if the typhoon approaches the East and Central Plains regions, it will worsen flooding and force the Pasak Jolasid Dam in Lop Buri to release more water. This would affect already at-risk areas downstream of the Pasak and Chao Phraya rivers.

 

Water at Pasak Jolasid is already at 112% of its full capacity and additional rainfall would compel operators to discharge more water, the official said.

 

However, Mr Supoj dismissed talk of any repeat of Great Flood that severely damaged central provinces and Bangkok two years ago.

 

Pasak Jolasid can hold 960 million cubic metres of water but was holding 1.076 million cubic metres now, according to a Royal Irrigation Department statement on Wednesday.

 

Mr Supoj's remarks on Saturday indicated that the water volume in the reservoir now was even higher.

 

"(Nari) will fill more water but it must go to the North and Northeast. Don't come to the East," he said on a nationally televised programme.

 

Floods have hit 42 provinces since Sept 17 and 28 of them remain inundated, three of them seriously - Sa Kaeo, Prachin Buri and Chachoengsao, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said. The conditions have affected 3.5 million people.

 

Mr Supoj said expected conditions in the three provinces would be back to normal at the end of this month as water is drained out and flows naturally to the Bang Pakong River out to the sea in the Gulf of Thailand.

 

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department director-general Chartchai Promlert promised financial compensation of 33,000 baht per household for all those affected by floods, regardless of the scale of the damage.

 

In the Philippines, Nari arrived with a vengeance on Saturday, ripping roofs off buildings, killing eight people and leaving more than 2 million people without electricity.

 

Nari slammed into the east coast around midnight (1am Thailand time), toppling trees and pylons as it cut a westward swathe through the farming regions of the main island of Luzon.

 

"A lot of big trees have fallen down. Clean-up crews with chainsaws are out to clear the roads," British journalist James Reynolds told AFP from the coastal town of Baler, near where Nari had hit land.

 

"The wind picked up very quickly, very dramatically. We had the wind coming right off the ocean for four hours, very strong, typhoon-force winds," said Mr Reynolds, who had checked into a hotel two hours before the typhoon struck.

 

As Nari moved inland, dumping rain, a wall of mud fell on a police barracks near the town of Magalang, killing an officer awaiting deployment to rescue typhoon victims.

 

Another person was electrocuted by a loose power line in nearby Candaba town, while trees fell on a house and a vehicle in Nueva Ecija province, killing three people.

 

Two children and an elderly person drowned in the province of Bulacan, which suffered widespread flooding, provincial governor Wilhelmino Alvarado told ABS-CBN television.

 

The typhoon blacked out 37 towns and cities across central Luzon, according to a tally by the civil defence office in the region.

 

Road and utility crews were out clearing roads and restoring power, but it could take up to two days before electricity is restored and major highways are reopened to traffic, Nigel Lontoc, a disaster official for the region, told AFP by telephone.

 

A total of 2.1 million people live in the areas now without electricity, according to official population figures.

 

The typhoon spared the capital Manila, where the state weather service had warned on Friday about possible widespread flooding.

 

 

http://www.bangkokpo...on-typhoon-nari

[think_too_mut]

During the floods of November 2011, there were no recommendations not to go to Bangkok.

 

How is it now?

[cavanami]

High tides on 15 and 16, typhoon Nari heading this way...could be interesting!

[Flashermac]

No flooding in Bangkok at all, but there is a warning along the river about especially high tides during the next few days. The Chao Phaya River actually flows upstream during high tide! I hadn't realised that until a Navy vet friend pointed it out to me.