Death toll hits 101 as govt warns against recklessness
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[li]Published: 31/10/2010 at 12:00 AM[/li][li]Newspaper section: News[/li][/ul]
The number of people who have died in the floods has risen to 101, as the government warns people to be more careful in the water.
ENTERPRISING: Suchin Seri, 49, fishes in his flooded rice field in tambon Dan Kwian of Non Sung district, Nakhon Ratchasima. Some farmers have resorted to fishing as a way of earning money after their crops were hit by the flooding. Using a home-made spear gun, Mr Suchin said he can make 300 baht a day from the fish, some of which are from flooded fish farms. PHOTO: SAROT MEKSOPHAWANNAKUL
Some of the deaths could have been avoided, officials suggested yesterday, as one agency started an inquiry into why so many people have died.
Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanavisit said 90 of the total were found drowned while officials were investigating whether the other 11 died in flood-related incidents.
Chatree Charoencheewakul, secretary-general of the Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand, said most of the deaths were caused by drowning and electric shock. "People should be aware of the dangers of flooding. Many people are careless in the water, despite the fact that they can’t swim.
“Some are careless when using electrical equipment or while fishing in the floods,” he said.
He said most of the deaths were in areas where flooding is rare, such as Nakhon Ratchasima and Lop Buri.
People in such areas may lack swimming skills. “In some cases, an older brother went to the aid of a younger one, a father tried to help his son and they all drowned,” he said.
“This is not a small issue but a national concern. The Disease Control Department and the institute are studying the cause behind the large number of deaths resulting from the floods,” he said.
He said the institute will teach Thais how to swim, particularly children.
Playing in the water, fishing, and messing around while drunk are three of the more unusual causes of drowning which have taken the lives of flood victims.
While most of the 94 deaths recorded by the institute as of Friday are attributed to drowning, the causes in some cases relate to accidents caused by carelessness or having too good a time.
Deaths have been recorded in 20 provinces. In Nakhon Ratchasima, for example, where 18 people have died, three are fishing-related deaths - one person fell off a boat, another fell in the water and a third was drowned after his fishing line got tangled around his leg. Two died after suffering muscle cramps, and one while swimming in a weir.
In Nakhon Sawan, where 12 people have died, four were fishing, one death was drinking related and one victim was electrocuted. One person died while collecting morning glory.
In Lop Buri, 11 people have died, including two people whose car was washed away and a third person who drove his motorcycle into a tree. One person was electrocuted after his house was flooded, and another died in a drinking related accident.
In Ayutthaya, seven have died, including a 50-year-old man who was drinking and gambling, and tried to race across a flooded area with his friends as a dare. He drowned. In Buri Ram, where six people have died, a child fell out of a tree into flood waters, two teens drowned in a weir, two children died in a flooded ricefield, and one person died helping his child. In Nonthaburi, where five people died, two died of electrocution, and one child, aged 2, drowned in a flooded area behind his home.
In Kamphaeng Phet, where four have died, three deaths are related to fishing. One person collapsed and fell in the water. In Saraburi, where four people died, a 59-year-old woman drowned after the boat she was on capsized. In Rayong, where two people have died, a man died while swerving to avoid flood waters. He hit a tree. The other victim died when a flood catchment area in a golf course collapsed.bron:Bangkokpost
BANGKOK (AFP) - – The worst floods to hit parts of Thailand in decades have left 94 people dead, destroyed thousands of homes and caused misery for millions affected by the rising waters, officials said Friday.
The floods have claimed 26 more lives, many from drowning, the Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand reported in its latest daily toll on the disaster, which which began on October 10.
“Most of the victims died in their homes or were children playing near flood waters,” said Chatree Charoencheewakul, the head of the institute.
“It’s likely that the toll could rise further as the flooding is still severe,” he said. “After the floods end we have to teach Thai people to swim or at least be able to float.”
The authorities estimate that 4.2 million people have been affected, with homes submerged and farmland or cattle destroyed, mostly in central and eastern areas. Thailand’s main tourist areas have not been hit.
Flood and landslide warnings have been issued for mountainous areas in southern Thailand.
More than 1,100 schools have been inundated and their directors have been allowed to delay the start of the new term by one week, Education Minister Chinaworn Boonyakiat said.
More than 229,398 people have sought medical treatment since October 20, mostly for itchy skin, common colds and stress, the health ministry said.
Health minister Jurin Laksanawisit warned people to be more careful after the latest deaths, of which six were children.
“In some cases, death can be avoided, so don’t put yourself at risk and it will reduce fatalities,” he said.
The floods have spread to 38 of Thailand’s 76 provinces although the waters have receded in 11 of those, officials said.
About 1.6 million acres of farmland have been destroyed, according to the government. Of the victims, 78 were men and 16 women.
Several people have reportedly committed suicide after their homes or paddy fields were badly damaged.
Nakhon Ratchasima, a large mountainous province about 250 kilometres (155 miles) northeast of Bangkok, is the worst affected with 18 deaths and almost 40 centimetres (16 inches) of rain this month.
Nakhon Sawan, Lopburi and Ayutthaya just north of the capital have also been badly hit.
Bangkok has been on standby with thousands of sandbags and pumps as flood water from the north runs downstream and could coincide with high tide.
So far the capital has avoided major flooding, although more than 1,000 homes along the Chao Phraya have been partially submerged.
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva reassured city residents that the authorities can cope and will not allow Bangkok to be flooded, according to the government’s website.
He has pledged to prevent water damage in the capital, noting that it is a key area for the Thai economy.bron: the Nation
The economic ministers agreed on Monday to pay cash assistance of 5,000 baht to each household affected by flooding through the Government Savings Bank, and up to 100,000 baht for repairs, and to waive tax for donations to flood victims, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij said.
Mr Korn said the economic ministers wanted the 5,000 baht to be paid through the GSB only to prevent confusion over account numbers and to expedite the payment.
Those who have not opened an account with the GSB will not be required to do so. Once they submitted their applications with home registration documents, the GSB will transfer the money to their accounts, regardless of which bank they use.
The victims can simply submit their application for the money along with a copy of domicile registration. People who are affected by flooding but do not have a home registration in flooded areas - such as those living in rented houses - can apply with a written guarantee by kamnans or village chiefs that they have been living in their communities.
Initially, about 620,000 families are expected to the 5,000 baht compensation.
The finance minister said the economic ministers also passed a resolution to compensate people whose houses were damaged by flooding.
The compensation will be 20,000-30,000 baht for a partly damaged house and 100,000 baht for a house damaged totally by floods.
The compensation for damage of a machine or tool used for making a living will be 10,000 baht.
The cabinet ministers also agreed to waive income tax for people, both individuals and juristic persons, who make a donation for flood victims, Mr Korn said.
Flooding continue to affect 221 districts in 22 provinces, according to the National Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.
They are Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Buri Ram, Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Maha Sarakham, Ubon Ratchathani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Supan Buri, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, and Chachoengsao.
Previously, 38 provinces were affected by the floods. The floods have eased in 16 provinces – Pichit, Phetchabun, Rayong, Chantaburi, Trat, Tak, Chonburi, Lamphun, Chiang Mai, Sa Kaeo, Nakon Nayok, Kamphaeng Phet, Phitsanulok, Nong Bua Lumphu, Prachin Buri and Samut Prakan.
The southern region was also hit by monsoon floods on Monday.
The head of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation of Songkhla provincial office said residents in four districts of the southern province of Songkhla have been affected by flooding after days of heavy rain. They are Hat Yai, Sadao, Na Thawi and Saba Yoi.
Wichit Chantrapan said the flooding in Na Thawi and Saba Yoi districts is worrisome because the areas are close to mountain ranges, which makes providing assistance difficult.
The Metrorological Department issued a warning on Monday that a tropical depression in the lower Gulf of Thailand was centred about 350 km southeast of Songkhla.
The depression is moving northeast with the speed of 15 kph. It is expected to move through the lower South of the country on Monday and Tuesday.
Torrential rain is expected in the southern region from Surat Thani southwards.
Forecasters warned residents of Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Krabi, Trang and Satun of severe weather and possible flash floods.
Meanwhile, His Majesty the King has donated another 10 million baht through the Rajaprachanugroh Foundation, under royal patronage, to buy necessities for people in all flood-hit areas, foundation chairman Disthorn Vajarodaya said on Monday.
Mr Disthorn said the necessities will be delivered to the flood-hit people as soon as possible.
The donation was in addition to the 10 million baht the King donated through the Rajaprajanugroh Foundation on Oct 19.
Several provinces in the South are feeling the impact of heavy downpours, strong winds and high waves, prompting the Meteorological Department to warn of flash floods in the region.
Local officials and army officers install pumps to drain water from the overflowing rapids in Kaeng Tana National Park in Ubon Ratchathani’s Sirinthorn district. Forty pumps have been installed in the area. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD
Waves as high as three metres yesterday seriously eroded about 50 kilometres of coastline in Narathiwat from Ban Ton beach in Muang district to Ban Koryao beach in Tak Bai district. The waves also damaged a section of coastal road and ravaged many trees.
Nearly 100 fishing boats could not reach Muang district shores because of the waves. They feared their vessels would be capsized by the force of the waves.
In Nakhon Si Thammarat, waves surged to more than 3m at Talumpuk cape, forcing fishermen to stay ashore.
People living near beaches in Paknakorn subdistrict were evacuated to safe areas after high tides flooded 30 houses. Waves were as high as 2m.
Songkhla’s Hat Yai municipality is on full alert for possible flooding after days of heavy downpours.
Officials are closely monitoring the water level in U-tapao canal, a major water source. A green flag was raised yesterday to signal a safe water level. Residents were told to monitor the weather.
Waves over 2m high damaged about 80m of groynes near Banpod-Don Sak road in In Surat Thani’s Don Sak district.
The Meteorology Department yesterday warned residents of Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Krabi, Trang and Satun to brace for flash floods, run-off and river overflows over the next three days. Small fishing boats were told not to leave shore because of strong winds.
Flood water in tambon Khayai and Phor Samton in Bang Pahan district was about 1.5m deep, affecting hundreds of villagers.
Irrigation Department chief Chalit Damrongsak yesterday said the flooding in low-laying areas along both sides of the Chao Phraya River remained critical as more than one billion cubic metres of water from fields would meet northern run-off and flow into the river. This would cause flood waters in Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi to rise by 5cm to 10cm a day, he said.
The water in the Chao Phraya River is expected to increase by 1.2m to 1.3m from Nov 5 to 9 as sea tides rise. Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi will be hit by the high tides, he said
A tropical depression has caused widespread flooding in the southern provinces, stranding hundreds of thousands of people and forcing the suspension of train services.
Among the hardest hit areas is the Hat Yai district of Songkhla province.
Hat Yai Mayor Prai Pattano said that at least 100,000 people were affected by the flooding there and the water was 2 to 3 metres high.
Mr Prai said the situation is much more severe than the major flood that hit the city in 2000.
“No one had expected that the situation would be so critical, and therefore there was no evacuation of residents or tourists,” he admitted.
All 11 districts in the southern province of Phatthalung were declared flood disaster zones on Tuesday following heavy rains and flash floods overnight.
They are Muang Phatthalung, Bang Kaew, Khao Chaison, Khuan Khanun, Kong Ra, Pa Bon, Pa Phayom, Pak Phayun, Si Banphot, Si Nakharin and Tamot.
Surat Thani provincial governor Thirayuth Aiumtrakul on Tuesday afternoon declared 16 districts flood disaster zones, including the tourist islands of Samui and Phangan.
The districts are Muang, Kanchanadit, Don Sak, Pun Pin, Tha Chang, Chaiya, Tha Chana, Ban Nasarn, Viangsra, Prasaeng, Chai Buri, Khirirat Nilhom, Vibhavadee Rangsit, Phanom, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, reports said.
Unconfirmed reports said that all power was out on the island of Samui in the afternoon.
In Nakhon Si Thammarat, six districts comprising of Muang, Sichon, Pak Phanang, Hua Sai, Lan Saka and Chang Klang have been declared flood disaster zones.
The State Railway of Thailand announced that heavy flooding has halted train servies in the lower South.
The SRT’s Public Relations and Tourism Service chief Nualanong Wongchan said trains running between Narathiwat’s Tanyongmat station and Sungai Kolok station had been closed temporarily due to safety concerns.
Mrs Nualanong said trains running to the South that could not complete their services are as follows;
Rapid train No 171 (Bangkok - Sungai Kolok) will stop at Nakhon Thammarat’s Thung Song station.
International express No 35 (Bangkok - Malaysia’s Padang Besar) will stop at Nakhon Thammarat’s Na Bon station.
Express train No 37 (Bangkok - Sungai Kolok) will stop at Nakhon Thammarat’s Khlong Chan Di station.
Rapid train No 169 (Bangkok - Yala) will stop at Surat Thani station.
Rapid train No 173 (Bangkok - Nakhon Si Thammarat) will stop at Surat Thani station.
Express train No 83 (Bangkok - Trang) will stop at Surat Thani station.
Express train No 85 (Bangkok - Nakhon Si Thammarat) will stop at Surat Thani station.
Rapid train No 167 (Bangkok - Kantang) will stop at Surat Thani station.
Passengers who wish to have their tickets reimbursed can contact any station nationwide.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva flew down South to visit Hat Yai in the afternoon after the cabinet meeting.
PM’s Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey said the prime minister has coordinated with the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC) on ways of helping the flood-hit people.
Bangkok Airways announced that Samui airport, which it owns and operates, was closed due to the weather.
All flights in and out of Samui were postponed but were expected to resume from 6pm, weather permitting.
Meanwhile, the flood death toll since flooding began in the northern, northeastern, eastern and central provinces on Oct 10 has risen to 104, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said Tuesday.
The flood death toll since the flooding began in the northern, northeastern, eastern and central provinces on Oct 10 has risen to 104, with the devastation now spreading to the South, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said Tuesday.
The department said flooding now affects 120 districts in 21 provinces, with 4,128,373 rai of farm land under water and about 984,670 households suffering.
The Meteorological Department issued a warning on Tuesday that a tropical depression was centred over Krabi province as of 10am. It was moving west-northwest at a speed of 18 kph and would move through Phangnga province and then out to the Andaman Sea.
Widespread and heavy rains were expected in the South from Surat Thani southwards, with waves of 3-5 metres high.
It warned those living on hill slopes near waterways and in lowlands of severe weather and possible flash flood. A small boats warning was issued for the Gulf of Thailand. They were advised to stay ashore.
For information on Samui airport, contact Bangkok Airways’ call centre at 1771 or 02-270-6699.
For information on train services, contact the State Railway of Thailand at 1690 hotline or log on to [URL=“http://www.railway.co.th.bron:Bangkokpost”]www.railway.co.th.bron:Bangkokpost
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[li]Published: 2/11/2010 at 03:47 PM[/li][li]Online news: [URL=“Bangkok Post - Most recent”][/li][/ul]
Surat Thani provincial governor Thirayuth Aiumtrakul on Tuesday afternoon declared 16 districts flood disaster zones, including the tourist islands of Samui and Phangan.
The districts are Muang, Kanchanadit, Don Sak, Pun Pin, Tha Chang, Chaiya, Tha Chana, Ban Nasarn, Viangsra, Prasaeng, Chai Buri, Khirirat Nilhom, Vibhavadee Rangsit, Phanom, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, reports said.
Unconfirmed reports said that all power was out on the island of Samui.bron:Bangkokpost
FLOOD Death toll reaches 38 Monday : disaster center
**Widespread floods which have hit 32 provinces have claimed at least 38 lives, affecting 940,673 households, 2.6 million people and damaging 2.8 million rais of farm lands, said Disaster services Director General Wiboon Sanguanpong. **
Wiboon said the flood-hit provinces are Pichit, Chainart, Sing Buri, Angthong, Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Sa Kaew, Nakhon Ratchasima, Lop Buri, Nakhon Sawan, Chaiyaphum, Sara Buri, Phetchabun, Nakhon Nayok, Si Sa Ket, Suri, Buri Ram, Khon Kaen, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Kampaeng Phet, Nakhon Pathom, Uthai Thani, Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Samut Prakarn.Lop Buri proivnce has the highest death toll (10), followed by Nakhon Ratchasima (9), Buri Ram (6), Nakhon Sawan (4), Khon Kaen (3), and one in Rayong, Trat, Sa Kaew, Saraburi, Chaiyaphum and Uthai Thani each.
Wiboon said the flood situations in Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Tak and Chon Buri have already alleviated.
He added that affected people could ask for help through hot line center at 1784 around the clock.
SOUTHERN FLOODS Songkhla is in deep crisis : Hat Yai Mayor
Flash floods have paralysed Songkhla province on Tuesday as water levels in many places are more than three meters.
The province has been hit by depression which resulted in consecutive days of heavy rains, starting on Saturday.
Hat Yai district, a business hub of the southern region, is under water about three meters depth. Many department stores, banks, houses are inundated. Songkhla authorities cut off the electricity as precaution measures.
Hat Yai Mayor Sawai Pattano described the situation as in deep crisis.
In an interview with the Nation Channel, he said the floods which came just last night have affected nearly a million of people.
“There are reports of a lot of people get stuck and stranded in their own houses without food and electricity. We are in deep crisis. The flood came just very fast and the water level is rising,” he said.
Reports said the heavy rains still hit the province as a result from the depression. The flash floods also hit other districts, Sa Dao, Na Thawee and Songkhla.
A local villager said the water level is higher than the previous years. “My house is a stilt house. In the previous years, the flood’s water level reached just the second step of the ladder from the ground. But now the water level is just one ladder step before it reaches the floor of the house," she said.
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[li]Published: 3/11/2010 at 12:00 AM[/li][li]Newspaper section: News[/li][/ul]
SONGKHLA Rescuers have struggled to get help to thousands of people stranded in their homes after three days of heavy rain triggered a massive flash flood that knocked down power poles and cut communications in Hat Yai city.
Officials said tens of thousands of people were trapped yesterday in the southern commercial hub which is facing its worst-ever flood crisis.
Torrential rains since Monday caused by a depression in the Gulf of Thailand engulfed Hat Yai municipality and many other areas of the South.
Many districts are under as much as three metres of water. One resident has been electrocuted during the flooding.
Many residents are stranded on the second floor of their homes, unable to venture out for food and supplies, while tourists are being forced to stay in their hotel rooms as rescuers and relief supplies have yet to reach them.
There are about 850,000 people in greater Hat Yai and 180,000 in the city centre.
Officials said a woman was forced to give birth in her room in an apartment block as the high flood waters prevented her from being taken to hospital.
Major roads in Hat Yai such as Phetkasem, Thammanoonvithi and Niphat Uthit were cut by floods with traffic lights shorting out and abandoned vehicles covered with water.
A sudden power failure created panic throughout the municipality.
Meanwhile, banks, petrol stations, schools and state agencies have been shut indefinitely.
Patients at Hat Yai hospital had to be evacuated to higher floors to avoid surging flood waters.
Surachai Lumlertkittikul, director of Hat Yai General Hospital, said more than 500 patients in the hospital were suffering from a shortage of food as relief supplies were taking time to get through.
‘‘Two of our three generators which we need to save the lives of seriously ill patients are out of action from the flooding, while fuel for the remaining one is near to running out,’’ Dr Surachai said.
The power failure disrupted thousands of base stations for cellular phones. Mobile phone connections have failed in many areas, particularly in Hat Yai, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Pattani and Surat Thani.
Kimyong and Santisuk markets, which are Hat Yai’s major commercial areas and popular with tourists, are under 1.20 metres of water.
Hat Yai mayor Prai Pattano admitted the municipal authorities were caught off guard by the unusually heavy flooding.
‘‘We are now at our wits’ end in trying to deal with the crisis and get help through to the victims,’’ Mr Prai said.
He said about 80% of Hat Yai was submerged and more than 30,000 households affected, with people stranded and helpless as rescuers cannot reach them yet.
Their Majesties the King and Queen have ordered staff at Taksin Palace in Narathiwat to supply food and clothing to flood victims.
Officials have delivered about 5,000 bags of supplies by helicopter to areas in Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Satun.
The navy, the air force and the army are working with aid agencies to try to get relief through to the flood victims.bron:Bangkokpost
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[li]Published: 4/11/2010 at 03:25 PM[/li][li]Online news: Local News[/li][/ul]
The flash floods that overwhelmed many southern provinces have killed 12 people, bringing the total national flood death toll to 122, authorities said on Thursday.
A total of 11 southern provinces have been affected by the flooding, caused by three days of torrential rains since Monday, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported.
Hat Yai, one of the worst-hit cities, began to bounce back from the overwhemling floods after waters receded, with Hat Yai mayor Prai Pattana announcing the “Hat Yai Big Clean Up” in the morning.
He said the big clean up is needed as the city is now full of garbage and debris left by floods. The activity is joined by civil servants, tradesmen, local residents and university students.
Mr Prai said he hoped the southern tourist city could return to normal in three days.
More than 100 foreign visitors remained stranded in their hotels early Thursday, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
The Songkhla Chamber of Commerce estimated that the cost of damage in Hat Yai alone to be at least 10 billion baht.
Vice chairman of the Songkhla Chamber of Commerce Kwispong Sirithananontsakul said the floodwater was as much as three metres deep, destroying business and tourism areas of the city, including the famous shopping destination Kim Yong market, hotels, restaurants, showrooms of all car dealers, department stores and retail shops, said Mr Kwispong.
"Nearly every kind of business in Hat Yai was affected by the flooding then,” he said.
Chairman of Hat Yai and Songkhla Hotels Association Somchart Pimthanapoonporn took the same tone, saying 90 per cent of hotels and serviced apartments in Hat Yai were affected.
In the morning, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva called a meeting on national security, the outlook of the country’s problems and the flood situation.
Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij, army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, police chief Pol Gen Wichean Potephosree, secretary-general of the National Security Council Thawil Pliansri, director of the National Intelligence Agency Suwaphan Tanyuwatthana, permanent secretary for justice Kittipong Kittiyaraks and a representative from the Interior Ministry were called to the meeting.
After an hour long meeting, Mr Korn said the prime minister discussed further steps in providing assistance to flood victims after the situation has returned to normal.
He insisted that the government’s financial and fiscal status is strong enough to help the flood victims in reconstruction of their homes, buildings or industrial plants and to rehabilitated businesses that have been affected by the flooding.
“I have instructed the Government Savings Bank to make it sure that the 5,000 baht emergency cash payment will reach the hands of the people who really suffered from the flooding,” said the minister.
Asked how much the flood relief operation and rehabilitation plans would cost, Mr Korn said it is still being assessed.Bangkokpost.
**Officials admit disaster plans need to improve **
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[li]Published: 5/11/2010 at 12:00 AM[/li][li]Newspaper section: News[/li][/ul]
The National Disaster Warning Centre admits it could have done more to help avert the disasters in many parts of the country over recent weeks.
Centre chief Somsak Khaosuwan yesterday said the agency “could have been more effective” with its warnings had it been given sufficient budget and manpower.
He insisted the centre had done its best to inform people about the floods, but many had ignored its warnings.
The NDWC and other agencies have come in for strong criticism after disaster prevention authorities and academics called for a major revamp of the national disaster early warning system and strengthening of the public’s response skills.
Storm damage around the country over the past two weeks has claimed 140 lives and wreaked havoc in 50 provinces. The cost is in the tens of billions of baht and rising.
Early warnings topped the government agenda in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami, which sparked a flurry of action to provide more natural disaster warning systems for everything from tsunamis to flash floods and mudslides.
Billions of baht were spent on installing 300 warning towers in disaster-prone provinces and surveying the risk areas.
The NDWC was also established to act as a focal point for monitoring natural disasters and issuing early warnings to the public and local agencies, who could then convey the messages to villagers in areas at risk.
However, the scale of damage in the recent flooding, especially in Nakhon Ratchasima, and villagers’ accounts that they were not alerted about the pending disaster, has reflected flaws in the disaster warning operation.
Capt Somsak conceded the warnings were “too light” to make many people aware of the hazards heading their way.
“We sent out flood warnings to risk areas from Oct 26 and also on Monday _ the night before the deluge hit the southern provinces _ but the problem was that people did not believe us,” he said.
"They believed their places would be safe from the floods so they ignored the advice to move to safer places.
“We know the public expects us to do better, but we have many limitations. The centre has only 10 permanent staff. We need support from other agencies to warn the public of natural disasters.”
Another challenging issue for early warnings in Thailand is how to make people trust the warnings and to teach people how to act after receiving them, Capt Somsak said.
The problem of public ignorance about natural disaster warnings was echoed yesterday by the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department’s deputy chief Srisombat Pornprasit.
Mr Srisombat said the agency had warned residents in flood-hit areas against possible deluges but most villagers underestimated the situation.
“Many of them refused to evacuate,” he said. “Some even got angry at authorities who tried to help evacuate them to safer places.”
Mr Srisombat admitted that early warning and disaster preparedness measures were lax in some areas, especially those which had never been struck by a major disaster before.
“No one would have thought that Pak Thong Chai district [in Nakhon Ratchasima] would be inundated. That’s why the locals were not prepared for the flooding,” he said.
Thannawat Jarupongsakul, a lecturer at Chulalongkorn University’s geology department, said the government needs to invest in more advanced technology for weather forecasting and natural disaster projections and warnings.
“The government needs to invest in advanced technology to limit the scale of damage caused by natural disasters,” he said.
Flood management expert Seeree Supratid, director of the Energy for the Environment Centre, Sirindhorn International Environmental Park, said authorities had all the necessary data but had failed to come up with proper measures to safeguard people from natural disasters.
“Everybody knew that the depression was coming [to the South], but nobody could effectively evaluate the situation and conduct flood preparedness,” said Mr Seeree, who implemented the flood prevention plan for Hat Yai in the aftermath of the 2000 flooding there.
People’s response to warnings was another key factor in the effectiveness of a disaster warning, he said.
“Sometimes, an early warning won’t help if people are not aware of the impact of natural disasters,” Mr Seeree said.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday admitted there were flaws in the disaster warning operation.
Speaking during an inspection of a flood prevention scheme in Nakhon Ratchasima, Mr Abhisit said the authorities must improve the warning system and the way messages are spread.
The prime minister also warned people against using their own personal judgement when dealing with natural disasters.
The Meteorological Department provided regular updates on the situation but many villagers chose to rely on their experience with previous floods which were not as devastating as this one, Mr Abhisit said.
Hat Yai residents, who began to clean up the city yesterday, said those who were hardest hit had ignored the Hat Yai municipality’s flood warning.Bangkokpost.
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[li]Published: 5/11/2010 at 11:33 AM[/li][li]Online news: [URL=“Bangkok Post - Most recent”][/li][/ul]
The death toll from heavy flooding nationwide since Oct 10 has risen to 140, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported on Friday.
In the North, Northeast, Central and East, the death toll was 110 and of these 107 of those were Thais and the other three were from Cambodia, Burma and the Netherlands.
The department said 1.69 million people in 94 districts of 19 provinces were still affected by the disaster and 6.31 million rai of agricultural land had been damaged.
The 19 provinces are Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Mahasarakham, Roi Et, Ubon Ratchathani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani.
In the South, 30 people died from flooding from Nov 1-4.
Thirteen of those were from Songkhla and four others were from Surat Thani.
Phatthalung, Trang and Nakhon Si Thammarat had three deaths each. Pattani had two and Satun and Chumphon one each.Bangkokpost.
Er zijn al 140 doden gevallen bij de overstromingen die Thailand sinds 10 oktober teisteren. Zeven miljoen mensen werden al getrofffen door de waterellende.
De overstromingen, die in het centrum van het land begonnen, hebben zich ondertussen verplaatst naar het zuiden van Thailand. Afgelopen maandag vielen daar minstens 30 doden. De dodenbalans is daarmee opgelopen tot 140 slachtoffers.
Duizenden soldaten werden donderdag naar de provincie Songkhla gestuurd om de bevolking in de stad Hat Yai te redden van het stijgende water.
In totaal werden 50 van de 76 Thaise provincies getroffen door de overstromingen, in 20 provincies begint het water zich stilaan terug te trekken.
Dodentol overstromingen in Azië loopt op
VRT
vr 05/11/2010 - 20:12
De dodentol van de overstromingen die Zuid-Oost-Azië nu al verschillende weken teisteren, loopt op. In Thailand heeft het wassende water al aan minstens 140 mensen het leven gekost. Sinds het begin van de zware watersnood op 10 oktober werden er al zeven miljoen mensen getroffen.
De overstromingen, die in het centrum van het land begonnen, hebben zich intussen verplaatst naar het zuiden van Thailand. In totaal werden 50 van de 76 Thaise provincies getroffen, in 20 daarvan begint het water zich stilaan terug te trekken.
Ook Vietnam is zwaar getroffen. De overstromingen hebben in dat land de afgelopen maand al 160 slachtoffers geëist. Tienduizenden mensen moesten geëvacueerd worden.
( situatie is ongeveer hetzelfde als hierboven zoals Gg het mededeelde )
Het ziet er niet naar uit dat de toestand snel zal verbeteren. De komende dagen worden nieuwe zware regens verwacht.
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[li]Published: 6/11/2010 at 12:00 AM[/li][li]Newspaper section: News[/li][/ul]
Sixteen bodies believed to be crew members of trawlers capsized in heavy seas earlier this week have been found in Pattani province.
Sunk in Songkhla Fishing trawlers that sunk in fierce storms in Songkhla wait to be salvaged at Songkhla Port. Torrential rain, powerful storms and high waves triggered by a tropical depression ravaged many parts of Songkhla province early this week. TAWATCHAI KEMGUMNERD
Twelve bodies were found washed ashore on Dato beach in Yaring district on Thursday, while four more corpses were found yesterday in the same district.
The dead were believed to be migrant workers whose nationality and names have not been established.
Authorities said 11 crewmen from a trawler swam to safety on a beach in tambon Laem Phothi in Yaring district yesterday.
They were exhausted after floating in the sea for days. All were from the Northeast. They said about six boats had sunk in stormy seas. Many more crew members are missing.
Yesterday, Farida Jeyapa, a 17-year-old student, drowned after slipping into flood water while playing with friends in Muang district.
The southern provinces are being warned to brace for more heavy rain as they count the damage from a devastating depression earlier this week.
Widespread flooding devastated the commercial district of Hat Yai in Songkhla.
Neighbouring provinces also suffered heavy floods that damaged homes and the fishing industry, the backbone income generator for residents.
Due to the influence of the La Nina climate phenomenom, southern Thailand had a considerably higher level of moisture in the air that heightened the volume and frequency of rainfall, the Meteorological Department said yesterday.
The amount of rainfall in the monsoon season in the South is likely to increase by 10% from last year, said deputy director-general Somchai Baimuang.
Wet weather has spread in the upper South.
PM’s Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey, who oversees the government’s flood relief operations, said landslide alerts were in effect in some areas of Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Songkhla.
Villagers in flood-hit Pattani wait for drinking water and food from a flood relief operation. The Pattani River has overflowed due to run-off from Yala, causing two-metre deep flooding in some areas. WEERAWONG WONGPRADEE
Areas near the mountains are particularly vulnerable because soil has absorbed a lot of rain.
A landslide damaged about 50 houses and 70 rai of rubber plantations yesterday in Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Khanom district.
No casualties were reported but about 300 families were evacuated. Troops were on standby for a rescue operation.
A boy with a wound on his foot caused by stepping on a sharp object in flood waters is treated at a hospital in Hat Yai, Songkhla. TAWATCHAI KEMGUMNERD
Also in Khanom district, a ship belonging to PTT Plc with a cargo of 400 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas ran aground about one kilometre from shore on Thursday.
The operation to tow the ship out of the sandbar was suspended yesterday due to low tide. The work will resume today. The Central Plains provinces of Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi and Bangkok were yesterday warned of more floods due to high tides and more run-off from upstream provinces.
A woman takes pictures of Datoh village in Yala’s Yaring district after a storm pounded the province, damaging more than 30 houses. WEERAWONG WONGPRADEE
CLOCKWISE FROMRIGHT Some30 houses in Ban Dato in Yaring district of Pattani are leftwrecked bystrong winds that struck the village on Tuesday. WEERAWONGWONGPREEDEE
ABuddhistmonk walks ona street near Kimyong market in Hat Yai, still deserted onFridaymorningfollowing the floods. PATTARACHAI PREECHAPANICH
Cha-oom Worapan sifts through thedamage near hishomein Phatthalung’sPaBon district. Trees were uprooted by a heavy storm there. PATTARACHAI PREECHAPANICH
Villagers visitanarea in tambonKhwan Thong of Nakhon Si Thammarat’sKhanom district which washit by a landslide yesterday morning after days of heavy rain. NUCHAREERAKRUN.Bangkokpost
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[li]Published: 6/11/2010 at 12:00 AM[/li][li]Newspaper section: News[/li][/ul]
Even though Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva failed to respond promptly to help flood victims in the North and Northeast and the government also failed to coordinate relief efforts with the private sector, in the case of the floods in Hat Yai which began on Tuesday at 2am, Mr Abhisit did respond quickly, noted a Thai Rath writer.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, foreground in white shirt, was quick to go to the South to inspect the flood damage after he was criticised for being slow off the mark to visit devastated areas in the Northeast.
On Tuesday morning, Mr Abhisit chaired the cabinet meeting. In the afternoon, he attended the House of Representatives meeting and after another meeting the same afternoon flew to Hat Yai with relief supplies on a military transport aircraft to personally tour Hat Yai to coordinate relief efforts.
The Thai Rath writer praised Mr Abhisit for prompt action as natural disaster victims cannot wait long for help. When a disaster occurs, help should reach the victims as soon as possible.
What is even more important is that Hat Yai is the centre of business and tourism in the South. Looking at TV news pictures, most people believe this year’s flood is more serious than in 2000. It could be said to be the most damaging in memory.
Flood waters raced through Hat Yai from 2am and by sunrise, the level had reached three metres in some areas, as high as the second floor of some shop houses. Novotel Hotel, located in the city centre near Central department store, saw the water level rise above the ground floor, making it impossible for hotel guests to leave.
Niphon Boonyamanee, a Democrat Party Songkhla MP who flew to Hat Yai on Tuesday morning, told the media airline passengers could not leave Hat Yai airport as the flood level was so high that transport to and from the terminal was impossible.
Prai Pattano, Hat Yai’s mayor, said more than 80% of Hat Yai was flooded, affecting more than 30,000 households with more than 50,000 people locked in their homes. Hat Yai was cut off from the outside. The city had no electricity and both fixed lines and mobile phones were inoperable. Even the police themselves were helpless as Hat Yai police station was flooded to chest height.
An executive for mobile phone operator AIS said more than 50% of mobile cell sites were down in Hat Yai as the Provincial Electricity Authority decided to shut down power to prevent electrocution and some power poles were toppled, resulting in damage to fibre optic lines, making communication impossible to surrounding provinces such as Phatthalung, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.
Thus Mr Abhisit’s decision to fly to Hat Yai immediately was praised by the Thai Rath writer as the prime minister would be able to mobilise all forces to help the flood victims. On this occasion, the navy sent two big ships, HTMS Chakri Naruebet and HTMS Surin, together with four Seahawk helicopters and a number of amphibian craft, to help the flood victims in Hat Yai and other southern provinces on Tuesday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Thai bureaucrats, especially in the Finance Ministry, were praised for proposing to the cabinet _ and getting the green light _ that citizens or juristic persons donating to various flood relief funds operated by TV channels 3, 5 and 7 and other private operations can claim deductions in their annual tax assessment.
Not only that, a juristic person or an ordinary person who receives relief money does not have to count that money as part of their annual income for tax purposes.
Meanwhile, Torsak Vanichakajorn, acting director-general of the Meteorology Department, remarked that the weather bureau had warned of the depression for several days and even went on the TV pool on Monday to warn residents in the South to move to high ground. So it could not be said the weather bureau did not do its job.
Even though the depression was not powerful _ the wind speed was only about 50km/h, much less than the 200km/h recorded during Typhoon Gay when it made landfall in Prachuap Khiri Khan on Nov 4, 1989, resulting in about 446 deaths _ the amount of rainfall was enormous, causing the widespread havoc.
The Royal Irrigation Department measured the amount of rainfall on Sunday and Monday at Cham Hai Reservoir at 478.6mm. The amount of rainfall over two days in 1989 was measured at 315.10mm. In 2000, when Hat Yai was heavily flooded, the amount of rainfall was 462.8mm. It means that this week, the amount of rainfall was the largest ever recorded.
Since the last major flood a decade ago, Hat Yai municipality has undertaken measures to prevent the recurrence of the floods. Chatchai Klainongsruang, a Hat Yai resident, posted a message on a website describing the flood level in Hat Yai as similar to the last great flood in 2000 even though this week’s rainfall was greater, testimony to good civil works to drain excess water from the city.
Even though the weather bureau said the tropical depression would make landfall on Monday, Mr Chatchai said Hat Yai experienced rainfall continuously from Oct 28. He said the week’s continuous rainfall was unprecedented in his memory.
The Thai Rath writer concluded that even though Hat Yai municipality had undertaken drainage work over the years, the fact that the city is in a low-lying area like the bottom of a wok makes it practically impossible to avoid flooding if rainfall is as heavy as this week. Yellow mob fails to ignite nationalist fervour
It is quite interesting that the People’s Alliance for Democracy is trying to use the Preah Vihear temple issue to mobilise its supporters to demonstrate against the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration for daring to prosecute PAD leaders, noted a Post Today writer.
What has happened between the Democrat Party and the PAD? They were allies when the party was in opposition during the Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat administrations. Some Democrat MPs even attended the PAD’s marathon rally and spoke on stage.
Time has passed since the good old days for PAD. The Democrat Party now leads the five-party coalition government and after being accused by the red shirts of practising double standards by re fusing to prosecute the yellow shirts, the government has begun to speed up the cases by appointing assistant police chief Somyot Phumphanmuang to supervise charges over the yellow shirts’ seizure of Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports during the Somchai administration.
The assistant police chief has done his job well, so well in fact the Criminal Court has issued warrants for the arrest of several PAD leaders. For this reason, the PAD leaders called on Mr Abhisit to transfer Pol Lt Gen Somyot from the case, alleging they were not receiving justice, but Mr Abhisit refused to listen. This vexed the PAD leaders, especially Sondhi Limthongkul who threatened to petition the National Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate Pol Lt Gen Somyot’s conduct.
Mr Sondhi also issued a threat that the 79 indicted PAD leaders who participated in the airport seizures would individually sue Pol Lt Gen Somyot even if he retires in a few years.
The threat was issued despite the fact that all indicted leaders were granted bail without having to spend a single night in jail, unlike most of the red shirt leaders. Yet the PAD leaders were still miffed because they believed that without their actions in seizing the two airports leading to the dissolution of the PPP, Mr Abhisit would not have been elected PM by the House of Representatives. They accused Mr Abhisit and the Democrat Party of being ungrateful.
The last straw was when the government, especially Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, refused to see eye to eye with the PAD leaders about the issue of the Joint Border Commission memorandum talks with Cambodia. Mr Kasit, a former loyal supporter of the PAD, even declared he would sever his ties with the yellow shirts over the Preah Vihear temple and the JBC issues.
The PAD then called on its faithful to gather at the parliament on Tuesday, the day parliament was to consider whether to endorse the JBC meetings with Cambodia on the border issue. The Post Today writer noted that very few PAD supporters turned up on that day and most came from the provinces, not Bangkok which used to be the bastion of the yellow shirts.
Even though some PAD leaders made the excuse that few turned up because some supporters were prevented by the floods, the Post Today writer refused to believe this argument, noting that if the Preah Vihear issue was of such crucial importance to the Thai people, the PAD leaders could easily persuade Bangkokians to surround the parliament in great numbers, as was the case during the Somchai administration. There was no need to recruit PAD supporters from the provinces.
So it means the PAD had a problem convincing Bangkokians to join the rally. It failed miserably to ignite nationalist fervour using the Preah Vihear temple as a pretext to rally its supporters.
Not only did the PAD fail to ignite nationalist fervour, the Post Today writer did not think too kindly of the strategy of the PAD to mobilise their faithful to drive out the government when the country was facing a flood crisis in every region. Furthermore, some critics even pointed out that the PAD had a hidden motive in using the rally as a bargaining chip, especially over the airport seizure cases which are close to being prosecuted in the Criminal Court.
However, the PAD’s move was not without a result. At least the government agreed to take a step back by appointing a joint committee to consider the JBC talks within 30 days instead of rushing the issue through for approval as earlier declared.
Yet, the government’s concession to the PAD could not be interpreted as a PAD victory as long as the PAD continues to play the nationalist card because few Thais care about this issue very much, concluded Post Today. Miscellany
Hat Yai is starting to bounce back from the overwhelming floods as the drainage system built under a royal project after the devastation of 2000 clears the main commercial areas more quickly than expected.
Flash floods have eased dramatically in many parts of Hat Yai city, although relief efforts are still being hampered in several pockets by high water and strong currents, authorities said.
The water level in many low-lying streets receded significantly after reaching more than two metres deep.
Authorities say the rapid drop in the flood water was due mainly to the efficient drainage system around the city.
Danaiwit Saibandid, chief of Songkhla’s irrigation office, said the system built under one of His Majesty the King’s projects after the 2000 floods caused 18 billion baht in damage to the city has played a big role in diverting the flood waters to Songkhla Lake.
The royal projects, particularly six large canals diverting water from Klong U-tapao, have effectively drained the water from the city to the lake.bron;Bangkokpost.
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[li]Published: 7/11/2010 at 10:35 AM[/li][li]Online news: [URL=“Bangkok Post - Most recent”][/li][/ul]
The flood toll has risen to 161 since Oct 10, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported on Sunday morning.
Heavy flooding has hit 30 provinces nationwide.
The provinces comprise Chai Nat, Suphan Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Nakhon Sawan, Saraburi, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Khon Kaen, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Sing Buri, Ubon Ratchathani, Kalasin, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Songkhla, Satun, Trang, Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani, Patthalung, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Krabi, Chumphon and Ranong.
The flood situations in the seven provinces of Krabi, Patthalung, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Satun and Songkhla have eased. However, there could be landslides due to heavy rain.Bangkokpost
Volgens een nieuwe balans zijn er 181 mensen omgekomen bij de overstromingen die Thailand nu al bijna een maand teisteren. Volgens de regering zijn naar schatting 7,8 miljoen mensen getroffen door de waterellende. Ze zijn hun huis, boerderij of gewassen kwijt.
Sinds het begin van de zware overstromingen op 10 oktober zijn 51 van de 76 provincies getroffen door het noodweer. In de stad Hat Yai, in de provincie Songkhla in het zuiden, waar het water vorige week verschillende meters hoog stond, kwamen 26 mensen om.bron:www.zita.be