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==Background==
==Background==
Various regions of [[Thailand]] are prone to seasonal flash-flooding due to their [[tropical savanna climate]]. The floods often occur in the [[Northern Thailand|North]] and spread down the [[Chao Phraya River]] through the [[Central Thailand|central]] plains, in the [[Northeastern Thailand|Northeast]] along the [[Chi River|Chi]] and [[Mun River|Mun]] Rivers flowing into the [[Mekong]], or in the coastal hillsides of the [[Eastern Thailand|East]] and [[Southern Thailand|South]]. Remnants of tropical storms that strike [[Vietnam]] or the peninsular south commonly increase precipitation, resulting in further risk of flooding. Drainage control systems, including multiple dams, irrigation canals and flood detention basins,<ref>{{cite news|title=Govt to build 190 'Monkey Cheeks'|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/Govt-to-build-190-Monkey-Cheeks--30137230.html|accessdate=13 October 2011|newspaper=The Nation|date=4 September 2010}}</ref> have been implemented, but are inadequate to prevent flood damage, especially to rural areas. A lot of effort, including a system of drainage tunnels begun in 2001,<ref>{{cite news|title=BMA building flood drainage tunnel system|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/205914/bma-building-flood-drainage-tunnels-to-prevent-deluge|accessdate=13 October 2011|newspaper=Bangkok Post|date=11 November 2010}}</ref> has been put into preventing the enormous flooding of the capital city of [[Bangkok]], which lies near the mouth of the Chao Phraya and is prone to flooding, with considerable success, Bangkok having seen only brief and minor flooding since the major flood of 1995. Other regions, however, have experienced severe flooding as recently as [[2010 Thai floods|2010]].
Various regions of [[Thailand]] are prone to seasonal flash-[[toplessness]] and flash-flooding due to their [[tropical savanna climate]]. The floods often occur in the [[Northern Thailand|North]] and spread down the [[Chao Phraya River]] through the [[Central Thailand|central]] plains, in the [[Northeastern Thailand|Northeast]] along the [[Chi River|Chi]] and [[Mun River|Mun]] Rivers flowing into the [[Mekong]], or in the coastal hillsides of the [[Eastern Thailand|East]] and [[Southern Thailand|South]]. Remnants of tropical storms that strike [[Vietnam]] or the peninsular south commonly increase precipitation, resulting in further risk of flooding. Drainage control systems, including multiple dams, irrigation canals and flood detention basins,<ref>{{cite news|title=Govt to build 190 'Monkey Cheeks'|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/Govt-to-build-190-Monkey-Cheeks--30137230.html|accessdate=13 October 2011|newspaper=The Nation|date=4 September 2010}}</ref> have been implemented, but are inadequate to prevent flood damage, especially to rural areas. A lot of effort, including a system of drainage tunnels begun in 2001,<ref>{{cite news|title=BMA building flood drainage tunnel system|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/205914/bma-building-flood-drainage-tunnels-to-prevent-deluge|accessdate=13 October 2011|newspaper=Bangkok Post|date=11 November 2010}}</ref> has been put into preventing the enormous flooding of the capital city of [[Bangkok]], which lies near the mouth of the Chao Phraya and is prone to flooding, with considerable success, Bangkok having seen only brief and minor flooding since the major flood of 1995. Other regions, however, have experienced severe flooding as recently as [[2010 Thai floods|2010]].


==Flooding==
==Flooding==
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The armed forces have been mobilised to distribute aid to affected people, and civilian groups and organisations are also involved, with volunteers packing sustenance kits and delivering aid to some areas. A Flood Relief Operations Center (FROC) has been set up at [[Don Mueang Airport]] to coordinate the delivery of aid, superseding the Emergency Operation Center because it could not exercise adequate authority. The stadium at Rangsit Campus of Thammasat University is serving as a shelter for evacuees, mostly from Ayutthaya. However, many people in the flooded areas are refusing to leave their homes for fear of looting.
The armed forces have been mobilised to distribute aid to affected people, and civilian groups and organisations are also involved, with volunteers packing sustenance kits and delivering aid to some areas. A Flood Relief Operations Center (FROC) has been set up at [[Don Mueang Airport]] to coordinate the delivery of aid, superseding the Emergency Operation Center because it could not exercise adequate authority. The stadium at Rangsit Campus of Thammasat University is serving as a shelter for evacuees, mostly from Ayutthaya. However, many people in the flooded areas are refusing to leave their homes for fear of looting.


[[China]], Japan, the Philippines, the United States, and New Zealand have pledged support and assistance for relief operations.
[[China]], [[Japan]], the [[Philippines]], the [[United States]], and [[New Zealand]] have pledged support and assistance for relief operations.

On October 16, 2011, the [[USS George Washington (CVN-73)]] aircraft carrier, as well as several other United States Navy ships were deployed to Thailand to assist in [[relief work]]. It was not clear to the US government whether or not the Thai government required US naval assistance due to mixed signals from the Thai government. An anonymous US defense official said that they were "ready to help but we haven't got a request." The United States to date has not received a formal request for assistance.<ref>{{cite news|title=Flood-hit Thailand declines offer of help: US Navy|url=http://news.yahoo.com/flood-hit-thailand-declines-offer-help-us-navy-193251190.html|accessdate=26 October 2011|date=25 October 2011}}</ref>


As the flooding threat against Bangkok increased, discontent with the government response and the FROC has mounted. The government has been criticised for underestimating the extent of flooding, giving mixed or conflicting information, and not giving adequate warnings. Failure of government units to share data and cooperate have been reported as contributing to the problem. Administers of the FROC and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration have been criticised for playing politics and refusing to cooperate at the expense of the general population.
As the flooding threat against Bangkok increased, discontent with the government response and the FROC has mounted. The government has been criticised for underestimating the extent of flooding, giving mixed or conflicting information, and not giving adequate warnings. Failure of government units to share data and cooperate have been reported as contributing to the problem. Administers of the FROC and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration have been criticised for playing politics and refusing to cooperate at the expense of the general population.

Revision as of 02:13, 26 October 2011

For the flooding which involved southern Thailand in March–April 2011, see 2011 Southern Thailand floods.
2011 Thailand floods
File:2011-10-24 Thammasat University Inundation (004).jpg
Thammasat University's Rangsit Campus in Pathum Thani Province, north of Bangkok, is inundated with 2-metre-high water on October 24, 2011 and becomes a lake. The famous Dome Building is seen being under water.
Date31 July 2011 (2011-07-31) – ongoing
(4861 days)
LocationThailand Thailand
Deaths317
Property damage156.7 billion baht (US$5,072,839,206)

Major floods are occurring during the 2011 monsoon season in Thailand, most severely in the Chao Phraya but also in the Mekong River basin. Beginning in late July and continuing for over two months, the floods have caused 307 reported deaths, over 2.3 million people affected, with estimated damages of up to 156.7 billion baht (5.1 billion USD) as of 18 October. The flooding has inundated about six million hectares of land, over 300,000 hectares of which is farmland, in 58 provinces, from Chiang Mai in the North to parts of the capital city of Bangkok near the mouth of the Chao Phraya. It has been described as "the worst flooding yet in terms of the amount of water and people affected". Seven major industrial estates have been inundated by as much 3 meters (10 feet) and estimated it will be around for 40 days.[1]

Background

Various regions of Thailand are prone to seasonal flash-toplessness and flash-flooding due to their tropical savanna climate. The floods often occur in the North and spread down the Chao Phraya River through the central plains, in the Northeast along the Chi and Mun Rivers flowing into the Mekong, or in the coastal hillsides of the East and South. Remnants of tropical storms that strike Vietnam or the peninsular south commonly increase precipitation, resulting in further risk of flooding. Drainage control systems, including multiple dams, irrigation canals and flood detention basins,[2] have been implemented, but are inadequate to prevent flood damage, especially to rural areas. A lot of effort, including a system of drainage tunnels begun in 2001,[3] has been put into preventing the enormous flooding of the capital city of Bangkok, which lies near the mouth of the Chao Phraya and is prone to flooding, with considerable success, Bangkok having seen only brief and minor flooding since the major flood of 1995. Other regions, however, have experienced severe flooding as recently as 2010.

Flooding

Topographical map of Thailand: Tributaries of the Chao Phraya flow from the mountainous northern region to join in the central plains, where it flows southwards into the Gulf of Thailand; the northeastern plateau is drained by the Chi and the Mun, which flow into the Mekong at the Thai-Lao border.

With the monsoon season well underway in 2011, with noticeable rainfalls started from May, major flooding began as Tropical Storm Nock-ten made landfall in Northern Vietnam, causing heavy precipitation in Northern and Northeastern Thailand and flash flooding in many provinces beginning 31 July.[4][5] Within one week thirteen had been reported dead, with ongoing flooding in the provinces of Chiang Mai, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Phrae, and Uttaradit in the North, and Bung Kan, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon and Udon Thani in the upper Northeast. The upper-central provinces of Phichit, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai were also flooded as the flooding spread down the overflowing Yom and Nan Rivers. Prachuap Khiri Khan on the gulf coast was also affected.[6]

Flooding was still ongoing by late August, as heavy rains were expected to continue further than usual due to the effect of La Niña. Floodwaters reached 50 cm in downtown Nan and already became the highest recorded in 16 years in Phitsanulok Province, while large areas in the downstream provinces of Nakhon Sawan, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya and Nakhon Nayok were being increasingly affected and the death toll continued to rise to 37 by 22 August. The Bhumibol and Sirikit Dams were increasing discharge rates to compensate for incoming flow.[7][8]

By 19 September almost all lower central provinces were being affected by flood, i.e. Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi, the last two of which sit on the northern border of Bangkok.[9] Broken floodgates resulted in water from the Chao Phraya flowing through irrigation canals and inundating large areas of paddy fields in Singburi, Ang Thong and Ayutthaya, but lessening the strain on Bangkok as the fields served as water retention areas.[10] Boats were employed to run against the river flow while anchored in an attempt to increase the river's discharge rate.[11]

By the beginning of October, most dams were already near- or over-capacity and being forced to increase their rates of discharge, potentially worsening downstream flooding.[12] Flooding in Ayutthaya worsened as flood water entered the city proper, inundating the Ayutthaya Historical Park and forcing evacuations. Barriers protecting industrial estates failed, resulting in flooding of dozens of major factories and country-wide disruption of manufacturing supply chains. In Nakhon Sawan, the sandbag barrier protecting the city was breached, resulting in rapid flooding of the city. Hundreds of patients had to be transferred out of Ayutthaya and Nakhon Sawan Regional Hospitals by boat as water levels rose over the hospital floors and power supplies and life support systems were disrupted.

As floodwaters drained southwards from Ayutthaya, Bangkok was becoming seriously threatened by mid-October. In Pathum Thani Province bordering Bangkok to the north, continuous efforts to reinforce and repair sandbag flood walls were undertaken to prevent the Chao Phraya and Rangsit Canals from overflowing into Bangkok. Several districts in eastern Bangkok which lie outside Bangkok's flood wall, as well as parts of the surrounding Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Chachoengsao and Nakhon Pathom Provinces, became flooded as water was diverted from the Chao Phraya to the Nakhon Nayok River and outlying canals.

As flood barriers in Pathum Thani failed, even more industrial estates as well as suburban residential areas became flooded. Parts of the Phahon Yothin Highway leading out of Bangkok became inaccessible, causing severe traffic jams on alternative routes. Disruption of a barrier protecting the Khlong Prapa water supply canal early on 20 October allowed floodwaters to enter the canal and rapidly flow down to Sam Sen in central Bangkok, overflowing and flooding several areas along the banks. Although the breach was controlled, residents panicked and have illegally parked cars on flyovers and parts of the elevated expressway. Parts of Thammasat University's Rangsit Campus, which was serving as the largest evacuation centre, became flooded.

As the situation continued, several floodgates controlling the Rangsit/Raphiphat canal system became overwhelmed and were forced to release water towards more residential areas. Residents of several districts of Bangkok, especially those bordering Pathum Thani, have been told to prepare for flooding.

Damages to industrial estates

On October 8, 2011 the 10 metre high water blockage in Nikom Rojna industrial estate, which housed many manufacturing plants, had collapsed. [11] The strong current had interfered reconstruction effort and resulted in the whole area being non-operational. One of the major manufacturing plant, Honda, was virtually inaccessible. [13]

Relief efforts

Centralised flood monitoring and relief operations began in mid-August. Recently-appointed Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra made tours of flood provinces beginning 12 August and assigned cabinet members and members of parliament to visit affected people, pledging support to local administration organisations.[14] The 24/7 Emergency Operation Center for Flood, Storm and Landslide was set up on 20 August under the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department of the Ministry of Interior to coordinate warning and relief efforts.[15] The government also allocated extra flood-relief budgets to the affected provinces.[16] The Prime Minister has also pledged to invest in long-term prevention projects, including the construction of drainage canals.

The armed forces have been mobilised to distribute aid to affected people, and civilian groups and organisations are also involved, with volunteers packing sustenance kits and delivering aid to some areas. A Flood Relief Operations Center (FROC) has been set up at Don Mueang Airport to coordinate the delivery of aid, superseding the Emergency Operation Center because it could not exercise adequate authority. The stadium at Rangsit Campus of Thammasat University is serving as a shelter for evacuees, mostly from Ayutthaya. However, many people in the flooded areas are refusing to leave their homes for fear of looting.

China, Japan, the Philippines, the United States, and New Zealand have pledged support and assistance for relief operations.

On October 16, 2011, the USS George Washington (CVN-73) aircraft carrier, as well as several other United States Navy ships were deployed to Thailand to assist in relief work. It was not clear to the US government whether or not the Thai government required US naval assistance due to mixed signals from the Thai government. An anonymous US defense official said that they were "ready to help but we haven't got a request." The United States to date has not received a formal request for assistance.[17]

As the flooding threat against Bangkok increased, discontent with the government response and the FROC has mounted. The government has been criticised for underestimating the extent of flooding, giving mixed or conflicting information, and not giving adequate warnings. Failure of government units to share data and cooperate have been reported as contributing to the problem. Administers of the FROC and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration have been criticised for playing politics and refusing to cooperate at the expense of the general population.

Disputes

The use of flood barriers has resulted in multiple disputes between people on the different sides; those on the flooded side being angry that they were unfairly affected, and often attempting to sabotage the barriers, sometimes resulting in armed confrontation. Farmers in Phichit Province, among others, fought over the maintenance of sandbag barriers and sluice gates.[7][8] Residents in areas outlying Bangkok are also dissatisfied that their homes are flooded while Bangkok is being protected.[18] Arguments over the construction of the controversial Kaeng Suea Ten Dam have also risen.

Local resistance to the building and maintenance of flood barriers has disrupted government work in several instances. Residents in some areas have sabotaged barriers and threatened government workers with firearms.

Damage

File:2011-10-24 Thammasat University Inundation (002).jpg
The inundation halts lives in Thammasat University and causes its final examinations and next semester to be postponed without date.

The flooding has been described as "the worst flooding yet in terms of the amount of water and people affected".[19] As of 18 October, flooding has affected 2,484,393 people from 824,848 families, with 317 deaths and 3 missing persons reported by the 24/7 Emergency Operation Center for Flood, Storm and Landslide (EOC).[20] Damage estimates of at least 185 billion Baht by the latest estimation by Federation of Thai Industry (Central region section) which includes 95 billion Baht damage on Thai industry, 25 billion Baht damage on Thai Agriculture and 65 billion Baht damage on the housing in the communities and suburb villages. [21]. A large part of the damage stems from the effect on the manufacturing industry, with 930 factories in 28 provinces affected, including multiple industrial estates in Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani Provinces which have been flooded. The flooding has been estimated to result in decrease 0.6 to 0.9 percent in economic growth.[22] Schools, 1,053 of which have been affected as of 19 September, were forced to end the term early.[9]

Major associated damage is to the job base that has been hurt because factories are flooded and many workers laid off or fired. Speculation has been voiced that some number of the factories may never open again, which will result in from some to significant job loss in Central Thailand. Further, due to agricultural lands being flooded, farmers along with those who work in the rice mills and paddy warehouses are out of work. Thailand poor are not known to keep a reserve of capital to tide them over emergency times, raising fears of hunger and a rising crime rate. Many of the rice fields have been damaged causing starvation.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Bangkok Opens Floodgates as Government Response Is Criticized". 21 October 2011.
  2. ^ "Govt to build 190 'Monkey Cheeks'". The Nation. 4 September 2010. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  3. ^ "BMA building flood drainage tunnel system". Bangkok Post. 11 November 2010. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  4. ^ "North, Northeast inundated by effects of Nock-ten". Bangkok Post. 1 August 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  5. ^ The starting date for the flood season is officially noted to be 25 July.
  6. ^ "Thailand's flood death toll rises to 13". MCOT online news. 5 August 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  7. ^ a b "Death toll in ravaged provinces climbs to 37". Bangkok Post. 22 August 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  8. ^ a b "La Nina to raise risk of flooding". The Nation. 23 August 2011. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  9. ^ a b "Thailand's flood death toll rises to 112". MCOT. 19 September 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  10. ^ "Bangkok 'safe' from river flooding". Bangkok Post. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  11. ^ a b "น้ำทะลักแนวกั้น! 'นิคมฯโรจนะ' ท่วมแล้ว คาดสูญ1.8หมื่น ล." Thairath. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
  12. ^ "Major dams over capacity". The Nation. 2 October 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  13. ^ "พิษน้ำท่วมนิคมอุตสาหกรรมฯ อยุธยา ฉุดจีดีพีประเทศร่วง ชมภาพ"ฮอนด้า"จมน้ำ". Matichon. 10 October 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
  14. ^ "Yingluck to visit flooded provinces". Bangkok Post. 12 August 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  15. ^ "Interior sets up flood war room". Bangkok Post. 18 August 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  16. ^ "PM orders new relief as crisis deepens". Bangkok Post. 21 August 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  17. ^ "Flood-hit Thailand declines offer of help: US Navy". 25 October 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
  18. ^ Bottollier-Depois, Amelie (7 October 2011). "Bangkok's neighbours shoulder flood burden". AFP. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  19. ^ "Thailand's 'worst' floods leave 224 dead". AFP. 3 October 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  20. ^ "รายงานสรุปสถานการณ์ อุทกภัย วาตภัย และดินโคลนถล่ม (Flood, storm and landslide situation report)" (PDF) (in Thai). 24/7 Emergency Operation Center for Flood, Storm and Landslide. 19 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  21. ^ http://breakingnews.nationchannel.com/read.php?newsid=534687
  22. ^ Yuvejwattana, Suttinee; Supunnabul Suwannakij (13 October 2011). "Thai Flooding Threatens Bangkok, May Cut Deeper Into Growth". Bloomberg Business Week. Retrieved 13 October 2011.

Media related to 2011-10-24 Thammasat University Inundation (004).jpg at Wikimedia Commons

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