Devastated Korat unprepared for more flooding

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Devastated Korat unprepared for more flooding
By Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation 2011-06-17

Since flash floods hit the Northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima seven months ago, destroying homes, farms, and public facilities, measures to prevent further damage during this year's rainy season have not been fully implemented.

At the same time, local residents remain haunted by the flood nightmare amid rumours that more flash floods could hit the city if water is released from a nearby dam.

"I am afraid the floods will come again in the near future," 55yearold Nakhon Ratchasima native Somrong Chobrak said, as she inspected water stains still visible on her wall, seven months after last year's disaster.

"Last year's flood was my worst memory in 24 years I have spent here," she added.

Her twostorey house, near Saint Mary's Hospital, was severely damaged by the city's worst flooding in 50 years. The hospital was surrounded by floodwater for almost two weeks.

The first floor of her house, which served as a small shop, was devastated.

"The flash flood came very quickly and we could not move anything upstairs to avoid the water," she said.

Somrong spent more than a month restoring her house. The government gave her just Bt5,000 in compensation. But this was not enough to rebuild her house.

Even though the government instructed the Army to send soldiers to help floodaffected victims rebuild their damaged houses, they worked with the victims only for a few days before heading to the Southern provinces that were also hit by flooding.

"Only schoolboys and temple boys came to help us," she said.

Her house is still not completely fixed. Somrong has had to gradually repair the building bit by bit.

And she has had no time to prepare herself for this year's floods.

Close by, Saint Mary's Hospital is building concrete walls 2.5metres high to prevent floodwater from flowing into the hospital compound. Last year the previous concrete wall, about 1.8 meters tall, was unable to protect the building.

The hospital is also building a concrete wall around the generator, which is the heart of hospital operations, said staff member Wirat Khorphueng.

Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital was also hit by the floods. Faced by one metre of floodwater, it had to shut operations for a week.

Floods have damaged the hospital's washing machines and kitchen equipment, among other things. The damage was estimated at no less than Bt73 million, which does not include damage to its Bt50million Cobalt60 Teletherapy Unit.

Fortunately, medical devices and drugs were not destroyed by the flood, deputy director Dr Suwannee Tangweerapornpong said.

Two weeks ago, the hospital finally received Bt60 million in compensation from the government.

She said the hospital was building a threekilometre concrete wall around the hospital to protect it from floods.

"So far, we have built just one kilometre," she said.

Moreover, the hospital has prepared a plan to handle all flood scenarios.

"The Nakhon Ratchasima governor will send us an early warning flood message. Immediately after that the hospital will ask a private company producing oxygen to send us two oxygen tanks within 24 hours to continue medical treatment," she said.

She said the old flood warning system didn't do its job.

Meanwhile, Nakhon Ratchasima Public Works and Town & Country Planning Department head Anukul Sangthongchai said his agency was planning works to prevent floods such as building drainage tunnels along roads and constructing reservoirs.

But the plan has not been implemented. The government hasn't allocated the budget to support it yet.

"We're not sure whether we'll be able to handle the flood situation this year or not," he said.