It’s not every day you see pickup trucks turning into amphibious vehicles, but such was the scene in Muang district of Khon Kaen on a rain-soaked Thursday. Heavy downpours have transformed many roads in this northeastern Thai province into flowing rivers, making commutes a soggy adventure for locals. (Photo: Chakrapan Natanri)
Recent satellite imagery from the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda) has revealed a watery invasion across several provinces including Phetchabun, Chaiyaphum, Phitsanulok, and Khon Kaen. Thanks to the meticulous eye of COSMO-SkyMed-2, captured just this Thursday evening, it’s confirmed that more than 118,000 rai of land now resembles a colossal puddle. Notably, over 2,800 rai of this inundated land are rice farms, dealing a heavy blow to local agriculture.
Over in Maha Sarakham, the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) is on high alert, ramping up efforts to manage the overflowing reservoirs in Muang and Borabue districts. Due to relentless rain, these reservoirs are bursting at the seams, holding more water than their safe maximum capacities. In response, four water pumps and a pair of hydro flow pumps are being vigorously employed to hasten the water discharge from Loeng Chan reservoir into the Kaeng Loeng Chan canal and ultimately the Chi River. Operations have also kicked off to remove pesky weeds and clear obstructive blockages to ensure that water flows like a well-oiled machine.
To further mitigate the urban water build-up in neighboring Muang district, eight water pumps are being activated at Huay Kakhakhang reservoir. While the RID assures that the situation hasn’t escalated to a critical level just yet, they are urging residents near the reservoirs to stay glued to local updates and heed the advice of authorities.
But the drama doesn’t stop there. Several million cubic meters of water that escaped from the breached Huay Chiang Kham reservoir in Borabue district on Tuesday are now wreaking havoc downstream. This watery avalanche has submerged nearly 5,000 rai of farmland in six tambons within Wapi Pathum district. The worst-hit location is Ban Pla Boo in tambon Nong Saeng, where floodwaters have reached alarming heights of 2 meters. In this neck-deep chaos, military trucks have become the unsung heroes, ferrying villagers to safer grounds.
The breach, which caused a 50-meter-long rift in the reservoir, has impacted 10,000 rai of agricultural land across four tambons in Borabue district. Provincial authorities have stated that the catastrophe has affected 65 villages across 65 tambons in the two districts, leaving 23,000 rai of farmland in dire straits.
In Chaiyaphum’s Nong Bua Rawe district, a similar narrative unfolds. Here, over 200 rai of farmland turned into impromptu swamps due to runoff that damaged a weir in Ban Non Muang. Local officials report that, as a stop-gap measure, rocks were hastily deposited at the breach point to stanch the flow. The RID plans to seek funding to construct a more robust weir in the future, hoping to avert such watery woes down the line.
So, as the heavens continue to pour their liquid blessings (or curses, depending on your viewpoint), the residents of northeastern Thailand are navigating this deluge with caution, community spirit, and a sprinkle of hope that the waters will soon recede.
Mother Nature sure knows how to stir things up! Amphibious vehicles? This is like a live-action Waterworld!
I know, right? But it’s sad for the farmers. So much rice gone just like that.
True, Jenny. The impact on agriculture is huge. I hope they get the aid they need!
Hopefully the government steps in with some financial support for those farmers.
Jenny, it’s indeed devastating. Climate change is causing more extreme weather events like this. We need better planning and resilient infrastructure.
So, another year, another flood. When will we learn to build better infrastructure?
Spot on, Sammy. We’ve known the rainy season brings floods, yet we’re always caught unprepared.
Easier said than done. Financial constraints, bureaucracy, and lack of foresight keep us in this bind.
Agree, but at some point, it’s about priorities. We need to start valuing lives and livelihoods more.
As a farmer, it’s disheartening. We’ve had back-to-back losses due to weather. Insurance hardly covers these massive floods.
That must be so tough. What can be done to help farmers like you?
Rina, better insurance schemes and perhaps subsidies for flood-resistant crops could be a start.
Good to see the military stepping in to help. It’s not always about war; sometimes, they’re real lifesavers.
It’s kind of bittersweet, though. Why does it always take a disaster for us to appreciate these efforts?
Military should always be seen as a community resource, not just a force. More civic engagements like this!
Pumping the water out is a band-aid fix. Sustainable drainage systems should be in place by now.
Agreed. We need long-term solutions, not just temporary measures everytime it floods.
What’s shocking is that this cycle repeats year after year. Why aren’t lessons being learned?
Why isn’t there more coverage about this? If this happened in a Western country, it would be all over the news.
That’s a very valid point. Media bias at its finest.
It’s not just bias. Sometimes it’s about resources and reach. But you are right; this deserves more attention.
Climate change is the real villain here. More frequent and intense weather events are becoming the norm.
Resilience is key. Glad to see the community supporting each other.
Honestly, nature is reclaiming what’s hers. We need to respect her more.
Tech like COSMO-SkyMed-2 is crucial. The data can help us better predict and perhaps mitigate the impact of these floods.
It’s a valuable tool, but we also need local-level action plans.
I’ve been watching my livelihood drown. We need urgent attention to save what’s left of our farms.
Until we start respecting environmental warnings, we’ll keep ending up in the same mess.
People need to understand the link between extreme weather and our carbon footprints. This isn’t just ‘bad luck.’
The government has to enforce stricter zoning laws to prevent such disasters.
I think we need a mix of both rural and urban planning reform to address these recurring issues.
Absolutely. Integrated planning that considers both rural and urban needs is the way to go.
This whole situation is heartbreaking. I can’t imagine losing my home and livelihood to floods.
More funding into dam and reservoir maintenance! It’s a no-brainer.