Floods all over Thailand! Homes evacuated as dams release excess water.

[Admin]

Homes evacuated as dams release excess water
The Nation 2011-10-06

All major dams in Thailand have reached 92 per cent of their full capacity, prompting many to release water, which is forcing evacuations in many areas downstream.

A total of 250 homes in Kamphaeng Phet's Kosamphee Nakhon district are set for evacuation before noon today, when metre-high flood water released from Bhumibhol Dam is expected to inundate them. Three other districts also face heavy flooding, but farther downstream.

The Interior Ministry is also planning to deal with anticipated flooding in Nakhon Sawan after the release of water from Tak-based Bhumibhol Dam.

The government flood-relief centre has said cooler weather could come earlier than November this year: "Within one or two weeks when the cold wind arrives, and the rain stops," said permanent secretary Pranai Suwannarat, head of the centre.

Provincial governors in areas of the South at risk of mudslides have been instructed to coordinate with local relief agencies to keep watch on threatened areas and prepare relief efforts in case of emergency. Deputy governors in provinces not affected by flooding have been told to assist their counterparts in flooded provinces if asked.

Lop Buri residents are being cautioned about possible further flooding from a new influx of water while repairs to Bang Chom Sri watergate in Sing Buri are underway.

Repair work is now 40 per cent complete, with rocks in metal nets piled on the edge of the gap where the watergate was broken by strong currents. A gutter in the riverbed has been filled, partially by large rocks.

Flood-affected residents camping along a 5-kilometre road leading to the watergate have been warned to keep clear of trucks transporting rock-filled nets to the site.

Repairs to the Bang Chom Sri watergate are expected to be complete within 10 days, when the flooding situation in Lop Buri and nearby provinces should ease. Repair work on the Phra Ngarm watergate in Sing Buri is 90 per cent complete.

In 19 Northeastern provinces, a flood-relief update says there is renewed risk of flash flooding as a result of heavy rain expected this week. The provinces are in low-lying areas or at the foot of hills or mountains, or by large rivers.

The Cabinet has issued a nine-point flood-management recommendation. It includes immediate drainage, use of vessels to drive water in the Chao Phraya out of estuaries, use of technical indicators and evaluation measures in flood management, urgent assistance to flood victims with help of the military, and long-term flood and water management with public participation.
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[Admin]

UNESCO offers help for flood-hit Ayutthaya World Heritage site
TNA 2011-10-07

BANGKOK, Oct 7 - The United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on Friday offered the Thai authorities emergency assistance for the ancient city of Ayutthaya now affected by heavy flooding, if it is needed.


In a statement released here on Friday, the Bangkok-based UNESCO Asia-Pacific regional headquarters said the World Heritage site of Ayutthaya, which occupies the western half of the inner island of Ayutthaya, now faces the threat of inundation as water levels continue to rise. Monuments and temples outside the site perimeter (technically not part of the World Heritage-designated zone), including the spectacular Wat Chaiwattanaram on the opposite bank of the river, have already been flooded for days.

The statement quoted local authorities on-site as saying that if the inner city could not be protected, flooding might be even more serious than the major flood of 1995, and could affect the whole city, including the entire World Heritage property.

The heritage site managers said that after the water subsides, they may need help from UNESCO for a damage survey and emergency preparedness planning to minimise damage from future incidents, the statement said.

The world cultural body said Thailand was eligible to apply for emergency assistance from the World Heritage Fund. The assistance may be requested to undertake emergency measures or to draw up an emergency plan for safeguarding the property. (MCOT online news)

[Admin]

Businesses urged to help workers stay afloat
Thanongsak Muennoo
The Nation 2011-10-07

A total of 1,215 factories in 33 of the 43 flood-affected provinces are under water, leaving 41,099 workers distraught, Arthit Issamo, acting chief of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, said yesterday.

Citing results of a survey conducted on Wednesday, he said 52 factories in Nakhon Sawan were submerged affecting 1,620 workers; 391 in Uthai Thani affecting 3,549 workers; 11 in Prachin Buri covering 5,086 workers; Lop Buri had 23 affecting 5,773 workers; while Ayutthaya had 349 affected factories covering 20,000 workers. Ayutthaya's Rojana Industrial Park, which has 198 factories and employs 42,100 workers, was also under threat, and people were seen piling up flood barriers yesterday.

The department asked employers to continue paying workers who are unable to get to work due to floods, and urged them to work with the Work Safety Committee in order to make sure that the factories' power systems and machines are safe. The department also urged labour advocates and advisers to coordinate in providing aid and urged labour unions, organisations and businesses to get together to help solve this problem.

"The Labour Ministry has opened a flood assistance centre in all affected provinces and is asking for business operators' cooperation to take care of as many workers as possible. The ministry doesn't want to use law to force them yet because both sides are suffering," Arthit said.

So far, factory owners have responded well by paying workers just enough to stay afloat despite the closure of their businesses, though many of them will only be able to do this for up to two months, he said.

Once the floods recede, some factories might have to lay off workers due to severe damages, hence the ministry would have to help workers look for new jobs and provide them with vocational training, he said.

Also, the Social Security Office would offer loans to assist affected establishments and workers, he added.

[TBWG]

So far, factory owners have responded well by paying workers just enough to stay afloat despite the closure of their businesses, though many of them will only be able to do this for up to two months, he said.

I don't wish to mock those who  are suffering in the floods, but, they could have worded this better!


TBWG 

[Admin]

Flood waters bear down on capital
PM admits govt may not be able to avert disaster
Published: 8/10/2011 at 12:00 AM
Bangkok Post: Newspaper section: News
 
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra last night told people in parts of Bangkok and elsewhere in the Central Plains to brace for severe flooding, as she admitted her government was almost at its wits' end dealing with the disaster.

Already the whole of nearby Ayutthaya province has been declared a disaster area as the deluge continues to bear down on the capital, having started in the North of the country and affecting 30 provinces so far.

In a televised address last night, Ms Yingluck spoke of the grim situation facing Bangkok and its neighbours.

She said despite concerted efforts by government agencies, she feared authorities would not be able to fully contain the incoming flood waters.

She said the volume of water had exceeded estimates and the storage capacity of reservoirs and torrents have damaged a number of flood gates.

The government's priority is to speed up the diversion of flood water into the sea before the deluge - about 7,000 million cubic metres - flows down to the Central Plains from the upper North via Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Phitsanulok and Nakhon Sawan soon.

"If we cannot divert the flood water into the sea, it will cause extensive damage to the provinces in its path," said the prime minister.

She also voiced concerns about the Meteorological Department's forecast of low-pressure systems, saying the reservoirs were unlikely to be able to absorb more rain.

She said the Chao Phraya Dam, which can release water at a rate of 3,570 cu m of water per second, must bring its work up to speed to ease the impacts on downstream provinces such as Ang Thong, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Lop Buri and Ayutthaya.

Ms Yingluck said flood diversion efforts would become more difficult at peak tide between Oct 15 and 17, when the flow is expected to reach Bangkok.

Fifty-nine provinces across the country have so far been damaged in some way by the floods, with 30 being badly hit and 252 people being killed.

A flood relief operation centre has been set up at Don Mueang airport and will begin 24-hour operations from today. It will integrate flood relief and preventive tasks of all agencies, including warning issuance, data gathering, plan development and providing advice and information to the public.

Justice Minister Pracha Promnok was appointed as the centre's director and acting permanent secretary for Interior Pranai Suwannarat is deputy director.

Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi is chief of operations, covering evacuation and flood preventive tasks, and Transport Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat is directing chief, covering warning and relief systems.

The centre has opened a round-the-clock call centre at 1111 ext 5.

"All parties must join hands to face a crisis which threatens lives and our way of life," she said.

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has already opened 90% of its water sluice gate. The city could drain out 1 million cubic metres of water per day to the sea, he said.

The governor said it was now difficult to speed up draining as the levels in all waterways in the city are very high.

Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa said the Defence Ministry has ordered all military units to offer assistance and shelter to flood-affected people in their neighbourhoods.

Those people could evacuate to nearby military camps, he said.

Water levels in the reservoirs of all dams in northern provinces have already reached maximum capacities. Those dams will have to release water, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Theera Wongsamut said.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has played down fears over a series of storms hitting the country.

Watcharee Virapun, director of its Weather Forecast Bureau, said there were no significant indicators of a series of storms hitting Thailand in the near future.

It warned, however, that the central provinces, including Bangkok, are still under the influence of a low pressure system which will bring more rain until next week.
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[sugardaddyken]

 Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra last night told people in parts of Bangkok and elsewhere in the Central Plains to brace for severe flooding, as she admitted her government was almost at its wits' end dealing with the disaster.[/b]

You can't stop the hand of God...bugger...I mean science,nature and meteorological phenomena 

[urleft]

Anyone know of issues getting from BKK to Buriram due to the flood?

[TBWG]

Is This Plodprasop  guy for real?

1,000 boats to push flood waters October 11

BANGKOK: -- On October 11, a fleet of some 1,000 boats would help push water from the Chao Phraya River into the sea fast, Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi said Saturday.

At the boat project launch held at Nonthaburi's Pakkred Pier with 40 boats attending, Plodprasop said that this voluntarybase project would help drain water three times faster, from two knots to six knots, and prevent floodwater from pouring into Bangkok City.

He said the 1,000boat fleet would push water down to the sea on October 11, as to help lower flood in the Chao Phraya Riverside provinces such as Sing Buri, Angthong and Ayutthaya.


-- The Nation 2011-10-08


TBWG

[nookiebear]

Anyone know of issues getting from BKK to Buriram due to the flood?

No problems on Friday afternoon

[urleft]

Anyone know of issues getting from BKK to Buriram due to the flood?

No problems on Friday afternoon

Thanks Nookie, I a coming into BKK on the 18th, hope to get to Buriram with no problems. 

[Admin]

Flood panic in Nakhon Sawan
Published: 10/10/2011 at 06:20 PM
Bangkok Post: Online news: Local News
 
Flood sirens wailed in much of Nakhon Sawan on Monday and residents fled for their lives after the floodwaters breached the levees, the latest victims of the floods still devastating much of 30 provinces, as the confirmed death toll rose to 269 people on Monday.

The 30 provinces are: Sukhothai, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Chiang Mai, Roi-et, Lampang, Loei, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Kamphaeng Phet and Tak.

Disaster Relief and Mitigation Department chief Wibul Sanguanpong said the southwesterly monsoon is also expected to cause heavy rain in Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Songkhram, Bangkok and nearby provinces, Chachoengsao, Rayong, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat and Phetchaburi in the next three to four days.

In Nakhon Sawan, a concrete embankment along the Ping River collapsed, allowing floodwaters to surge into the province.

Officials sounded sirens throughout the province, telling people to immediately evacuate to five temporary shelters prepared by the provincial municipality.

Reports said the water level in many areas was above one metre. The water level rose by about 50 centimetres in less than five minutes.

The atmosphere in the city area of Nakhon Sawan was chaotic, with people fleeing in fear for their lives and taking their belongings to higher ground.

Traffic was very congested and transport was difficult with roads cut off by advancing floodwaters, reports said.

About 300 to 400 military officers were transporting patients and medical equipment from flood-stricken Sawanpracharak Hospital to Chiraprawat Hospital.

Reports said more than 100 metres of embankment were damaged. Officials, soldiers and villagers were urgently piling up sandbags to plug holes in the embankment.

However, the sandbags were unable to fight off the swollen river as its water level was more than two metres.


In the capital, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has prepared 191 shelters for people in four flood-prone districts in its eastern area, which is likely to be flooded by water released from Pasak Jolasid dam in Lop Buri into Khlong Raphipat canal in Ayutthaya.

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said shelters were ready in Min Buri, Nong Chok, Lat Krabang and Khlong Sam Wa districts, which would bear the brunt of the flood.

The BMA would have a command post at the Min Buri district office to manage possible evacuations and flood relief in the four eastern districts. It would be ready in three days and be be equipped with necessary equipment and vehicles to enable flood relief operations.

 
MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra (Photo by Apichit Jinakul)
The BMA will prepare similar command posts and shelters in northern and western parts of the capital to deal with possible sudden flooding.

MR Sukhumbhand stressed that people in Bangkok should not be panicked by these measures, because it was only preparation in case of emergency. City Hall does not expect flood evacuations in all districts of Bangkok, he said.

The governor admitted he was worried about possible flooding in 27 communities in 13 districts outside Bangkok's floodwalls in addition to the four eastern districts of Min Buri, Nong Chok, Lat Krabang and Khlong Sam Wa and the BMA was evaluating flood possibilities on a daily basis.

He said the capital would have to simultaneously cope with floodwater from upper areas, increasing rainfall and the next round of high tides from Oct 16 to 18.

Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa said the 1st Army Region has been instructed to deploy soldiers to help evacuate people trapped by floodwaters and to open Adisorn military camp in Saraburi to evacuees.

Gen Yutthasak said people who want to donate goods for flood victims should do so only at the National Flood Relief Centre at Don  Mueang airport, because it is now difficult for ordinary vehicles to reach flooded Ayutthaya province.

National army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said plans were being drawn up to evacuate people from flooded areas in Ayutthaya, Lop Buri and Nakhon Sawan, using soldiers and military equipment.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said flood prevention measures for Bangkok have not been completed and the government is racing against time to prevent the capital being inundated.

Ms Yingluck discussed the situation with senior officials at the government's flood relief centre at Don Mueang airport this morning. They agreed that Bangkok needs three strong floodwalls upstream along the Chao Phraya River for protection.

The floodwalls will be built in Muang Ake housing estate in Pathum Thani, Rangsit Khlong 5 area and Taling Chan area behind Mahidol University. They will block floodwater from upper areas and divert it via the eastern and western outskirts of the capital to the sea, she said.

Through the eastern side, floodwater from the Pasak river will be diverted to Khlong Rapeepat and Saen Sap canals and discharged into the sea.

On the western side, water will be directed through the Tha Chin river into the sea.

Ms Yingluck said the floodwall in Muang Ake housing estate will be 10 kilometres long. The floodwall in Rangsit Khlong 5 area requires 1.5 million sandbags.

The government was addressing the problem of a shortage of sandbags and seeking quick resupply from the private sector. The government would buy all the sandbags available from the private sector to complete the floodwalls for Bangkok as soon as possible.

Opposition Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the government should declare a state of emergency in selected flood-hit provinces to facilitate relief operations.

Speaking after a special meeting of the Democrat Party's shadow cabinet, Mr Abhisit said the state of emergency may not be a panacea, but it would help the government in its relief operations, particularly the evacuation of people.

It was for the government to decide where the state of emergency should be declared, without fearing whether it would affect its image, he said. The people's safety, livelihood and well being were the paramount concern.

The former prime minister suggested the government also review planned expenditure under the 2012 budget to and use the money to repair the country's infrastructure damaged by floods.

Some schemes such as the tax rebate for first-car buyers could be scrapped and the 30 billion baht budgeted for it could be used for rehabilitation and helping the people, the Democrat leader added.

Earlier on Monday, a senator also proposed during the Senate meeting that the government declare a state of emergency in selected flood-hit provinces.

[sugardaddyken]

As King Canute found out you can't stop the tide coming in,build as many Dams as you like but once they are full the water has to go somewhere. 
Although living on a floodplain has its advantages there is always a risk of annual flooding.Thais do seem to have a short memories.
Last year we had our Village lake dug out to 5 meters deep so as to supply the village with government water.They built in large concrete pipe from the rice fields to fill up lake for when the rainy season comes but forgot to install drainage pipes for when the lake was full.Also they didn't know what to do with all the soil they dug out so they filled up all the roadside ditches .Those ditches would have taken the water away  to the dyke's that then take the water to the local big reservoir, that then leads to the river .Last week they had to bring in soil to dam up the lake to stop the Village Temple from being flooded.The soil came from digging out the roadside ditches they had only last year filled in 

[Adam]

Hahaha SDK, that sounds about right, they never seem to think ahead. Live for today is one thing, but you do have to plan for the future.

Now if I could only get my wife to save some money for when I retire....

[Vombatus]

Is This Plodprasop  guy for real?

1,000 boats to push flood waters October 11

BANGKOK: -- On October 11, a fleet of some 1,000 boats would help push water from the Chao Phraya River into the sea fast, Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi said Saturday.

Good idea.

Surely it is only the same principle as using a snow plough ??

[TBWG]

Is This Plodprasop  guy for real?

1,000 boats to push flood waters October 11

BANGKOK: -- On October 11, a fleet of some 1,000 boats would help push water from the Chao Phraya River into the sea fast, Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi said Saturday.

Good idea.

Surely it is only the same principle as using a snow plough ??

CC   


Yup ~~~ and what happens to the snow? 

It piles up to the sides .... Ergo,  one hell of a wake from 1,000 boats not to mention the water displacement.

If the poor sods are already 1 metre underwater the they are about to be engulfed by a mini tidal wave! So get those speedo's on!

TBWG