The government needs to accelerate its efforts to drain excess water from the flood-hit areas in the North and Northeast, with more torrential rain expected to drench upper Thailand in the next few days, according to the Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) yesterday. ONWR deputy secretary-general, Paiton Kengkarnchang, reported that a new storm system is brewing over the Philippines.
While the storm isn’t expected to directly hit Thailand, it will bring increased rainfall to the lower North, upper Central Plains, Northeast, and East regions by Monday and Tuesday, he stated. Consequently, all agencies managing the country’s flood situation are urged to expedite their efforts to drain excess water in the affected areas through various channels leading to the Gulf of Thailand, according to the ONWR deputy chief.
The Meteorological Department’s forecast yesterday revealed that a southwest monsoon is currently sweeping across the Andaman Sea, bringing heavy rain to the North, Bangkok and its neighboring provinces, the East, and the South. This increased rainfall will heighten the risk of flash floods in low-lying areas, particularly valleys, the department warned.
In Chiang Mai, while floodwaters have subsided in some regions, authorities anticipate that the situation will only return to normal in about a fortnight, said Atthawit Nakwatchara, director of Chiang Mai’s 1st Royal Irrigation Office. The Ping River caused significant damage across downtown Chiang Mai when it overflowed on Wednesday, inundating swathes of Muang district, including the famous Night Bazaar.
Residents in Moo 6 and Moo 9 in Mae Ai district experienced fresh flash floods early yesterday morning. With the water just starting to recede, many were unprepared for the flooding’s return. The situation in neighboring Lamphun was even more severe yesterday, as floodwater from Chiang Mai began rushing through the province’s waterways from Wednesday night, flooding parts of Ban Thi and Muang districts.
Meanwhile, in Lampang, a reservoir in Ban Nong in Mae Tha district suddenly burst at 11 am yesterday, flooding several downstream areas and parts of the neighboring Ko Kha district. Over in Nakhon Phanom, six districts reported floods yesterday, affecting over 17,300 people across 224 villages. Local authorities believe the flooding in the province has reached its peak, as the water level along the Mekong River has already significantly receded.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is scheduled to visit Chiang Rai today to inspect the post-flood recovery efforts. She will spend the night in Mae Sai district, the hardest-hit area, before traveling to Chiang Mai, according to Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.
The government should have been more prepared for this! How many more lives have to be disrupted before they take this seriously?
Come on, Joe. It’s not like they can predict every single flood. Nature is unpredictable.
Preparation is key! Other countries manage it better. Thailand needs to improve its infrastructure.
Totally agree, Amy. Also, the government should have more emergency funds ready.
Amy and Aiden, you said it. It’s time for real action, not just band-aid solutions.
It’s a difficult time for everyone, but blaming the government doesn’t solve the immediate issue. Focus on helping where we can.
Good point, Larry. We need to offer support to the flood victims instead of just pointing fingers.
I’m really worried about the wildlife in these regions. Flooding has such a severe impact on them too.
Absolutely, Irene. People tend to forget how disasters like this also wreck the ecosystems. Conservation efforts must be intensified.
Why isn’t there more international support for Thailand during these crises? The world needs to come together.
Sadly, Tommy, international support is often slow and bureaucratic. Local resilience needs to be built up.
I’m just grateful for all the volunteers who are risking their lives to help with the recovery efforts. True heroes!
Absolutely, Jessica. We should all be honoring their bravery and selflessness in times like these.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn’s visit is a good sign, but will it actually lead to change or just be for show?
Let’s hope it leads to change. We can’t keep going through this every year.
I live near the Ping River, and the flood damage is devastating. We need better flood management systems now!
We need to hold companies accountable for pollution and poor land use that exacerbates these floods.
Yes, Sombat! Corporate responsibility is often overlooked in these discussions. They need stricter regulations.
I’ve been living in Chiang Mai all my life, and I’ve never seen anything this bad. It’s heartbreaking.
Stay strong, Mai. We’ll get through this together. Help is on the way.
With climate change intensifying, we should expect these events to become more frequent. Preparation is not optional anymore!
Couldn’t agree more, ScienceNerd. The science is clear, and action must follow.
Is it really that hard to predict and manage floods? Feels like the government is always playing catch-up.
Predicting is one thing, managing in diverse and large regions is another challenge. Not as simple as it seems.
Not enough attention is being paid to the mental health of the affected residents. We need support systems in place.
Exactly, Tom. The psychological trauma can be long-lasting. Immediate and long-term care is essential.
Great point, Tom. Unfortunately, mental health is often the last thing governments think about.
What about the tourists in these areas? Are there any plans to ensure their safety?
The tourism industry always seems to bounce back, but the safety of tourists should still be top priority.
Patty, let’s also focus on the local population first. They’re the ones suffering the most.
I think the international community needs to step up its aid efforts. Thailand can’t handle this on its own.
This is heartbreaking. I hope relief gets to the farmers quickly, they must be losing so much.
Paetongtarn better deliver this time. We’ve had enough promises with no follow-through.