Residents bravely swim through floodwater, which surged to an astonishing 150cm to three meters in Ban Don Sung, nestled in the Khao Saming district of Trat on Monday. The overwhelming floods, triggered by relentless downpours, also wreaked havoc in Muang and Bo Rai districts. In response, authorities are widening waterways to accelerate drainage and providing essential aid to residents displaced and stranded by the deluge.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has voiced his deep concern over the persistent flooding in Trat, which shows no signs of receding since it was first reported last week. Through a heartfelt post on Facebook on Monday, Mr. Srettha assured the public that the government is vigilantly monitoring the flooding in this eastern province. He extended his gratitude to the Royal Thai Armed Forces and the Royal Thai Police for their invaluable assistance in evacuating residents stranded in their waterlogged homes. “All my prayers are with every officer in the area,” he remarked, emphasizing his continuous watch over the situation.
The severe flooding afflicting Khao Saming, Muang, and Bo Rai districts stems from continuous torrential rains that began pounding the region on July 22. The situation took a dire turn on Sunday when runoff from Bo Rai district surged towards Khao Saming and Muang districts, inundating roads and submerging homes. There is a glimmer of hope in Bo Rai district, where floodwaters have begun streaming into Kiri Tharn dam via the Sato and Sato Noi canals, as local officials report.
Yet, residents remain on high alert as weather forecasters warn of more heavy rain and strong winds forecasted in the coming days. Laem Ngob Witthayakhom School in Laem Ngob district has preemptively suspended all in-person classes until Friday to safeguard its students, opting instead for online instruction during this period.
The floods have also severely impacted local agriculture, compelling many farms to seek urgent assistance for relocating their livestock to higher grounds. At Saknarin Pig Farm in Muang district, officials heroically rescued 1,200 piglets and pigs from the rising waters, though tragically, at least ten pigs perished. The surviving livestock has since been relocated to a safer farm in Sa Kaeo’s Wang Nam Yen district.
In Bo Rai district, a chicken coop owner, who preferred anonymity, lamented that this is the worst flooding he has witnessed in over two decades. On Monday, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thamanat Propow visited the flood-stricken province to assess the calamity firsthand. He has instructed all relevant agencies to evaluate the flood damage and draft a compensation plan for the affected residents.
Meanwhile, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department has designated Trat’s Muang, Laem Ngob, Koh Kud, and Khlong Yai districts, along with provinces Tak, Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Rayong, and Chanthaburi, as flash flood risk areas. Motorists are urged to steer clear of these regions during adverse weather conditions to ensure their safety.
It’s tragic what’s happening in Trat. The government should have done more in anticipation to prevent this disaster from becoming so severe.
Preventing natural disasters is easier said than done. The amount of rain was unprecedented. Blaming the government is not fair.
I understand that, but there should’ve been better infrastructure in place to handle such emergencies. We need more proactive measures.
Agreed, but let’s be real. No system can handle a deluge of that magnitude without some issues. Authorities are doing their best given the circumstances.
It’s easy to blame the government, but the global climate is changing, and the frequency of such events is increasing. We all need to adapt.
Adapting to climate change is crucial, but it doesn’t absolve those in power from being more prepared and proactive.
True, this is a wake-up call. We need to focus more on sustainable practices to mitigate future catastrophes.
I’m deeply concerned for the residents. This kind of disaster can destroy lives and the emotional toll must be immense.
Absolutely, the psychological impact of such events is often overlooked. Helping people rebuild their lives goes beyond physical reconstruction.
Mental health support is as critical as physical aid. I hope there are counselors available to assist the affected individuals.
There must be an integrated response to help victims, including psychosocial support. Trauma from losing homes can linger for years.
It’s devastating to hear about the loss of livestock. It must be a huge blow to the farmers’ livelihoods.
Yes, especially in rural areas where livestock is a significant part of the economy. Compensation and support for these farmers should be a priority.
Indeed, short-term aid is just a band-aid. Long-term support and rebuilding plans are essential.
Maybe it’s time to rethink our agricultural practices and consider more flood-resilient methods or crops.
Losing livestock is like losing family. It’s more than just an economic loss – it’s emotional too.
I visited Trat last year. It’s heartbreaking to see such a beautiful place under water. Natural beauty turned into disaster so quickly.
I’m impressed with the efforts of the Royal Thai Armed Forces and the police. They seem to be doing a fantastic job under the circumstances.
Yeah, kudos to those on the front lines. Hope they get the support they need too.
Absolutely. But let’s not forget they’re a part of a system that could’ve been better prepared in the first place.
Why do they always wait until something bad happens to fix things? Shouldn’t we have better systems in place already?
Sadly, that’s often how governments work. Reactionary rather than proactive. This needs to change!
Regrettably, infrastructure improvements are expensive and usually take time and a lot of bureaucracy to implement.
Will tourists even want to go back to Trat after this? The area depends on tourist dollars.
The school going online because of floods shows how flexible education systems can adapt. Maybe we need more versatile solutions in other sectors too.
Online education is well and good, but for many families, internet access might be limited. This could widen the education gap.
True, inequitable access to online resources is a big problem. Authorities need to address this issue urgently.
That’s a valid point. Accessibility must be a priority to ensure no child is left behind.
It’s good to hear some floodwaters are draining into the dam. Let’s hope there are more positive developments soon.
I hope so too, but it’s critical that further rain doesn’t overwhelm the drainage systems. The forecasts aren’t promising.
The drainage into the dam is a positive sign. However, the full recovery will take a while. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.
Indeed, we can only hope for the best and continue supporting the relief efforts in any way we can.
What a grim reminder of nature’s fury. Truly makes one question how prepared we all are for such disasters.
This event shows that climate resilience isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a necessity. If we don’t adapt, we’ll see more tragedies.
I’m just glad there haven’t been any reports of human casualties yet. The situation could have been even worse.
Absolutely. Knowing that lives have been spared is a small consolation amid this disaster.