BANGKOK — While people in the flood-hit areas of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai Provinces are starting to clean up houses and roads buried under mud, Phayao Province further downstream is facing flash floods that have reached the city and flooded the University of Phayao on Wednesday.
This incident raises questions once again about the public warning system that could help protect lives and mitigate property damage.
Anutin Charnvirakul, Minister of Interior, confirms that the government has all forms of warning measures, both analog and digital. However, in some areas, they need to use verbal communication and send people to help, because there are elderly people who don’t constantly look at screens.
The most effective method is to send officials to give warnings, explain the situation, and assess it at the same time. He assures that they are using all available methods, but when it comes to flash floods, it’s particularly challenging.
Flash floods from the Nam Huai Kieng and Nam Huai Moh Khaeng Thong rivers in Mae Ka sub-district emerged around 4 a.m. of September 17 after heavy rains and flooded the area in front of University of Phayao, Hua Kien Village, Moo 16, Mae Ka sub-district, Mueang Phayao district.
The floods caused significant damage to the community, dormitories, houses and over 200 cars and motorcycles belonging to students and locals, many of which were swept away by the floodwaters and mud and crashed into electric poles and structures.
Out of Warning Routes
Ratthaphon Naradisorn, the Governor of Phayao Province, explained that officials had already issued warnings about heavy rainfall and the possibility of flash floods and landslides. However, the area that was hit by the flash flood had never been included in previous warning routes.
Typically, the water path comes from flash floods several kilometers away from the University of Phayao, before flowing into the Mae Ka and Mae Tam streams. But this time, the volume of water was so massive that it suddenly flooded the student dormitories located on the sloping area in front of the University of Phayao.
In the aftermath, various agencies, including the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), the Royal Irrigation Department, rescue units, the military, police and local leaders of Mae Ka sub-district, were mobilized to urgently help the students and locals.
They also deployed machinery to clear the way for water flowing into the Nam Huai Kieng and Nam Huai Kien rivers to be diverted into the Nam Mae Tam River, which eventually flows into Kwan Phayao Lake. Water levels have since receded, although some low-lying areas are still flooded. The reservoirs are currently 80 percent full and the sluices remain closed to retain additional water.
The Geoinformatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) has been monitoring the flood situation and showed satellite images from Sentinel-1A on 16 September showing flooding in parts of Phayao province in five districts: Chiang Kham, Dok Khamtai, Phu Kam Yao, Chun, and Mueang Phayao. A total of 36,033 rai of land, mainly agricultural land and residential houses, are under water, with 2,281 rai in Mueang Phayao affected.
Mae Sai’s Hard Cleaning
In Chiang Rai Province, transportation between communities in Mae Sai District continues to be difficult due to muddy roads. Many areas are still flooded, with strong water currents, especially in Ko Sai commune near Soi 10 shrine. Water supply is also not working, causing significant difficulties as people rely on water donations. Many houses are still uninhabitable.
Narongpol Kidarn, district chief of Mae Sai, said that all agencies assisting with the flooding in Mae Sai, along with Mae Sai Subdistrict Municipality, have deployed personnel to remove mud from roads and open transportation routes. They are also working with military engineers to seal leaks in the dams along the Sai River. Five leaks have been identified to reduce the amount of water entering the communities.
In the communities where the water has receded, the power supply has been restored and is expected to be fully restored soon. The restoration of public utilities, especially the water supply, is underway. Hundreds of people are still housed in the emergency shelters, but some have already returned to their homes.
3 Billion Baht for Relief
At Government House, meanwhile, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced after a Cabinet meeting that the Cabinet had approved a proposal by the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide financial assistance to flood victims during the 2024 rainy season.
A budget of 3.045 billion baht ($91.4 million) was allocated from the central budget for the 2024 financial year. The Ministry of Interior has been instructed to speed up the review process and reduce paperwork to ensure aid reaches people as quickly as possible.
In addition, there are measures to waive electricity charges in the disaster-affected areas for September and reduce electricity rates by 30% in October. If a house is damaged more than 70%, the owner will receive compensation of 230,000 baht ($6,900).
The Prime Minister also instructed all government agencies to quickly consider additional measures beyond the usual protocols to assist citizens affected by the flood. If a matter requires Cabinet approval, it should be prioritized to ensure rapid assistance, including improving the efficiency of early warning systems.
Upgrade Warning Systems
The government will enhance its disaster prevention weak points, particularly in the area of early warning systems, by implementing a Cell Broadcast system. This technology allows for the simultaneous sending of messages to multiple mobile phone users in a specified area, reaching individuals comprehensively. This is an upgrade over the current methods of radio broadcasts, loudspeaker announcements, or sending people to spread the word, which are often not timely enough.
Originally, the Cell Broadcast system was scheduled to be completed in May 2025. However, the Prime Minister has directed that it should be implemented as quickly as possible, ahead of schedule.
This system will enable the sending of early warning messages via mobile phones (SMS), including advance warnings 12-24 hours before an event and emergency alerts 6-12 hours prior. This will ensure that people in high-risk areas receive warning information and can prepare for situations in a timely manner, thus reducing potential losses.
45 Deaths in Floods
On September 17, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) also reported a summary of flood situations in various areas across Thailand between August 16 and September 17. There were a total of 45 deaths, 24 injuries, and 139,803 households affected.
The disaster affected 30 provinces, including Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Tak, Phayao, Nan, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Phetchabun, Loei, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nong Bua Lamphu, Prachin Buri, Ang Thong, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Rayong, Chumphon, Phuket, Yala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phang Nga, Trang, and Satun. This encompasses 150 districts, 672 sub-districts, and 3,525 villages.
Currently, flood situations persist in 13 provinces: Chiang Rai, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Bueng Kan, Prachin Buri, Ang Thong, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phang Nga, Chumphon, Phuket, and Satun.
______
