Bangkok Floods, 2nd November, 2011-Whole city at risk of flooding

**StrontiumDog** · 02-11-2011, 10:05 AM

Climate change a factor in extreme weather - latimes.com

Op-Ed

Thailand's heart attack

Climate change doesn't 'cause' massive storms or severe droughts, but it raises the odds.

Two young men walk through floodwaters, next to the Chao Praya river in Bangkok, on Oct. 31. Residents living along canals in parts of northern Bangkok were warned on Oct. 30 to be ready to evacuate if needed. (Nicolas Asfouri / AFP/Getty Images)

By Michael D. Lemonick November 2, 2011

An obese, middle-aged man is running to catch a bus. Suddenly, he clutches his chest, falls to the ground and dies of a massive heart attack. It turns out that he's a smoker and a diabetic, has high blood pressure, eats a diet high in saturated fat and low in leafy green vegetables, pours salt on everything, drinks too much beer, avoids exercise at all costs and has a father, grandfather and two uncles who also died young of heart attacks.

So what killed him? Most people are savvy enough about health risks to know this is a trick question. You can't pick out a single cause. His choices and his genes all contributed to the heart attack — but you can say with confidence that the more risk factors that pile up, the more likely it is to end badly.

Somehow, though, people think that it makes sense to ask whether a given extreme weather event — a devastating heat wave or a punishing drought or a deadly torrential rainstorm — is caused by climate change.

PHOTOS: Thailand floods

That's a trick question too. Scientists know that the increasing load of greenhouse gases we're pumping into the atmosphere doesn't "cause" extreme weather. But it does raise the odds, just as a diet of triple bacon cheeseburgers raises the odds of heart disease.

The floods that have been threatening to inundate Bangkok, Thailand, for nearly a week now are a perfect example. Since last summer, torrential rains have been pounding the Thai highlands, swelling the country's rivers, including the Chao Phraya, which flows through the capital. Many people have fled for drier ground, fearful that the city's dikes might not hold back the water — especially over the weekend, as the virtual tsunami from the north tried to empty into the Gulf of Thailand just as unusually high tides were pushing up the river. "It seems like we're fighting against the forces of nature," Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra told the New York Times last week.

That's partly true. But as experts in risk management have come to realize, it's not just nature that has put coastal cities like Bangkok in the cross hairs of catastrophe. Monsoons and floods have drenched Asia for thousands of years. But before cities like Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila and Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) arose, climate-related disasters affected relatively few people.

Now, as the latest edition of the Climate Change and Environment Risk Atlas from Maplecroft, a London-based risk assessment firm, makes clear, swelling populations and shaky infrastructure, especially in poorer nations, put millions in harm's way.

The very existence of mega-cities, then, is one risk factor for weather and climate disasters (the Bangkok metropolitan area holds nearly 15 million people) — it's the high blood pressure, you might say, of disaster.

But climate change is an additional risk factor. Scientists have shown that torrential rains have gotten heavier in recent years, in large part because of human-caused global warming. This year's Southeast Asian monsoon may or may not have the fingerprints of climate change all over it, but in general, the trend toward heavier rains is likely to continue. Last weekend's high tide doesn't have anything to do with rising sea level; it was caused by an unusual alignment of Earth, moon and sun. But as climate change does raise sea levels over the coming century — by an average of 3 feet by 2100, according to the current best estimate — rain-swollen rivers will have a harder and harder time emptying quickly into the ocean.

But wait, (as they say on infomercials) there's more! Another consequence of climate change is that hurricanes and typhoons may get more intense, fueled by warmer ocean waters. That means stronger storm surges will be pushing on higher seas and driving them farther inland — and as survivors of Hurricane Katrina know very well, it's not so much the winds and rain that get you; it's the surge.

This time, it's Thailand's turn to have a heart attack. Last summer, it was Texas and Oklahoma, with parching drought and the hottest summers on record. In the fall, it was Vermont and other parts of the Northeastern U.S., inundated with devastating rains and floods. A couple of weeks ago, it was Central America, where nearly 5 feet of rain fell in 10 days, causing deadly floods and mudslides. This week, it was the Northeast again, hammered by the sort of storm that normally holds off until December or even later.

All of these disasters might have happened in any case, for purely natural reasons, just as people without any obvious risk factors sometimes have heart attacks. But with the extra factor of human-generated climate change added to the mix, the odds of a bad result are just that much higher. And if we keep adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, those odds will keep on rising

**StrontiumDog** · 02-11-2011, 10:07 AM

Floods threaten Bangkok interior - World News | IOL News | IOL.co.za

Floods threaten Bangkok interior

November 2 2011 at 04:28am

Reuters
A man uses a boat to transport a boy through the flooded streets of Bang Phlat district in Bangkok. The floods began in July and have devastated large parts of the central Chao Phraya river basin, killed nearly 400 people and disrupted the lives of more than two million citizens.

Bangkok - Inner Bangkok, which has remained dry throughout Thailand's worst flood in decades, has come under a new threat from tampering with barricades in the northern part of the metropolis, reports said on Wednesday.

Floodwaters advanced on the central part of the capital after the central government ordered the widening of a sluice gate in the north-eastern part of the city under pressure from local residents whose homes had been inundated for weeks.

That decision prompted Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra on Tuesday night to order repairs to the Klong Sam Wan sluice gate under police protection.

The widening of the gate was approved by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, of the ruling Pheu Thai party. Sukhumphand is a member of the opposition Democrat party.

Most of central Bangkok remained dry over the weekend, despite duel threats from the Chao Phraya River swollen by peak high tides in the Gulf of Thailand, and a sea of floodwater north of the capital that accumulated over a month in the central plains.

Government officials had announced on Tuesday that the worst of the flood threat was over for the capital. - Sapa-dpa

**StrontiumDog** · 02-11-2011, 10:13 AM

tukky_nt tukky_nt

Repair work underway on broken Klong Samwa sluice gate. Lots of police and reporters, no angry mob whatsoever via [at]seacorro

**StrontiumDog** · 02-11-2011, 10:15 AM

tukky_nt tukky_nt

9am: Floodwater from NgamWongWan rd gradually seeps through the now-closed Kasetsart tunnel:twitpic.com/79lubw TR [at]LyNGinG

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tukky_nt tukky_nt

10am: 800 staff inside Kasetsart University to be evacuated after Bang Khen district declared an evacuation area. TR [at]nnanews

**StrontiumDog** · 02-11-2011, 10:18 AM

Juarawee Juarawee K. (Lina)

At Sanghee, Krungthon Bridge: ppl awaiting for transportation to get in flooded destinations in Bangplad district lockerz.com/s/152507226

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Juarawee Juarawee K. (Lina)

Mobile kitchen by the army at Army Internal Audit Office, it produces 3000 lunch boxes a day lockerz.com/s/152510555

**StrontiumDog** · 02-11-2011, 10:20 AM

TAN_Network 9 mins 51 secs ago Twitter
Flood water on Petchkasem 81 (Nov 2, 10AM) yfrog.com/j212atgj

**StrontiumDog** · 02-11-2011, 10:30 AM

Ryn_writes

10.24am : Flood water coming out from street drains at Phraholyothin soi 39 (few metres from Senanikom) lockerz.com/s/152519144

**StrontiumDog** · 02-11-2011, 10:33 AM

Biz_TheNation Biz_TheNation

Flood at Kasetsart University area at 60 cm.; Wat Ku Bon at 40 cm.;Viphavadi Soi 49 at waist-level

**Bobcock** · 02-11-2011, 10:39 AM

10:00 - Water coming up from the drains outside SCB Park at Ratchayothin

**StrontiumDog** · 02-11-2011, 10:42 AM

StrontiumDog1 StrontiumDog

10.28 Flooding near Kaset reaching 40cm on sidewalks (photo) bit.ly/txeWAg (via [at]js100radio )

**StrontiumDog** · 02-11-2011, 10:46 AM

10:38am The alley toward Amornphan market flooded by 30cm http://pic.twitter.com/PmKoj60t ~ [at]js100radio

[at]Reporter_js4 Reporter_js4
10.32น.ซ.เข้าตลาดอมรพันธ์ สูง30ซม. pic.twitter.com/CJZpH1Cn

**StrontiumDog** · 02-11-2011, 10:48 AM

tukky_nt tukky_nt

Expressway exit [at] Ratchadaphisek 10:30am: twitpic.com/79n433 [at]AndersInNon

**StrontiumDog** · 02-11-2011, 10:50 AM

10:37am Small vehicles hardly passable at Kaset junction due to 60cm of flood http://twitpic.com/79n77c ~ [at]Voice_TV

[at]LyNGinGLyng MakokiaT
November 2, 2011

แยกเกษตรน้ำยังสูง 60 ซม. รถเล็กสัญจนลำบาก คนขึ้นรถเมล์แน่น

**StrontiumDog** · 02-11-2011, 10:52 AM

Thai-ASEAN News Network

Kratumban District Drains Out Water to Save Thonburi District

UPDATE : 2 November 2011

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, or BMA, disclosed that the water in Khlong Maha Sawat canal has overflown into the western inner city areas of Bangkok, while the Flood Relief Operation Center is coordinating to accelerate the water drainage at Kratumban district into other areas.

Director of the BMA Department of Drainage and Sewerage, Sanya Chenimit, disclosed that water from Khlong Maha Sawat canal has overflown into the western inner city areas of Bangkok.

The water has been channeled into Klong Phasi Charoen canal to allow the water to flow into other canals and into the Chao Phraya River.

The BMA coordinated with the Flood Relief Operation Center to accelerate the water drainage at Kratumban District to drain the water into other areas.

However, the volume of water from the north is large, so officials in Thonburi District have established preventive measures, and the BMA has accelerated the building of the dikes.

Nevertheless, because of limited mobility, trucks cannot pass the areas easily, so officials are limited to boat travel.

Four pump machines are being used to drain water from the areas.

Together, the four pumps can drain more than 100 cubic meters of water per second.

In Nakhon Pathom Province, more than 100 cubic meters of water is being drained out per second as well.

In eastern Bangkok, residents have prevented the Flood Relief Operation Center from closing the floodgates, causing the lower parts of Bangkok to be affected.

However, if the water overflows across the dikes, all areas in Bangkok will be badly affected.

Floodgates at Minburi and Prawase districts need to be efficiently managed to prevent the floodwater from entering the entire inner city of Bangkok.

**StrontiumDog** · 02-11-2011, 10:53 AM

Thai-ASEAN News Network

Product Shortages Likely to End in 2 Weeks

UPDATE : 2 November 2011

The Commerce Minister is optimistic that the shortages of necessities such as drinking water, eggs, and instant noodles will end by mid-November, as businesses have increased their production capabilities, and modern traders imported a large amount of goods.

Permanent Secretary of the Commerce Ministry, Yanyong Phuangrach, said the measures to resolve goods shortages during the flood disaster were set in place.

The ministry asked for cooperation from both the public and private sectors to increase production capabilities and simultaneously imported some goods such as drinking water to prevent product shortages.

Yanyong stated that one million bottles of drinking water were sent from surrounding provinces and are headed to Bangkok.

In addition, modern traders are importing 5.4 million bottles, and 3.8 million eggs.

Imported instant noodles and canned food production increased by 300,000 and 3.6 million units respectively.

He reiterated that the ministry is rushing to find alternative salt production sites, fearing that many sites are likely to be flooded.

The permenant secretrary added that the Cabinet has included 16 additional products in its price control list to fulfill soaring consumer demands.

The items include bottled water, tissue paper, flashlights, toothpaste, toothbrushes, sand, concrete blocks, life vests, small boats, rubber boots, water tanks, water pumps, and candles.

Sellers who list their products higher than the controlled prices will face maximum punishment.

**StrontiumDog** · 02-11-2011, 10:54 AM

Thai-ASEAN News Network

Foreign Media Worried Flooding could Turn to Riot

UPDATE : 2 November 2011

The international media shone a spotlight about the ongoing flooding in Bangkok, reporting that the capital is on the verge of disorder, and the government has failed to handle the disaster effectively.

The international media reported that the mismanagement of Thailand’s flood disaster led to conflicts among people in many affected areas.

As of now, local people have strongly opposed the government’s latest order to open the Khlong Sam Wa Canal flood gate.

The media pointed out that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is incapable of tackling the flood disaster because of her indecisiveness.

China’s Xinhua news agency wrote in its headline news that Bangkok is on the brink of chaos because of flood mobs and drinking water shortages.

The United States’ New York Times reported that the Thai government has instructed the military and the police to monitor temporary embankments around the clock to ensure that they will not be ruined by those who disagree with the authorities’ water management.

The media also reported that conflicts between the locals and authorities aggravated the situation, and it's likely that the situation will intensify as the flood continues expanding into other areas.

Moreover, those living in Rangsit District have obstructed the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration officers from building more embankments and threatened to use force against the officials.

Consequently, the Bangkok Governor asked the government to ensure the safety of officials during the operation.

Al Jazeera news broadcasted that the prime minister has failed to end conflicts among the people during the flooding.

Furthermore, the government has avoided giving the Navy the authority to offer aid, as it could ruin the government’s stability in the long run.

The Japanese media illustrated that many airplanes were left stranded in floodwater at Don Muang Airport, and criticizes the government for its incompetency.

They were also disappointed in the government, as it failed to protect seven major industrial states nationwide.

**StrontiumDog** · 02-11-2011, 10:56 AM

Bangkok Post : Khlong Prapa rising, Pakkret down

Khlong Prapa rising, Pakkret down

Published: 2/11/2011 at 10:03 AM
Online news:

This morning, the old Bangkok Post reporter pedalled his mountainbike from his home on Chaeng Wattana Rd behind Central shopping centre to investigate the flood situation along Khlong Prapa as usual.

Khlong Prapa, which supplies raw water to be made into tap water at the Samsen plant, was innundated by water from flooded Lak Hok area after angry residents destroyed about 10 metres of the canal dyke four days ago. The water is brownish/brackish and the level is rising again this morning, as is the level of flooded Chaeng Wattana Rd. The flood now covers the road from Lak Si intersection to Khlong Prapa/Chaeng Wattana intersection.

The Pakkret Municipality three nights ago built an earth dyke at Chaeng Wattana intersection to prevent floodwater spilling over to Chaeng Wattana on the Pakkret side.

Biking back to Pakkret pier, the old reporter saw cars and pickup trucks still single parking and double parking on any elevated roadway along Chaeng Wattana Rd including on Rama IV Bridge, leaving only one narrow lane for traffic. However, the number of parked vehicles is stable.

Three days ago.

This morning level

The Chao Phraya water level at Pakkret Municipality, north of Nonthaburi in the morning is down markedly from three days ago, but still very high. The current is moderate. It takes about 2-3 hours for the water mass from Pakkret to reach the heart of Bangkok.

**StrontiumDog** · 02-11-2011, 11:21 AM

11:09am Nong Khaem & Bang Khae already flooded by about 1m this morning http://bit.ly/sEcZkl ~ [at]manageronlines

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MCOT_Eng MCOT English News

Water at Bangchan Industrial Estate continues rising, overflows from drainage system; Management attempts to fully protect

**StrontiumDog** · 02-11-2011, 11:24 AM

11:15am More 5cm to overflow inside Chandrakasem Rajabhat university, no barriers at all http://twitpic.com/79nl2a ~ [at]LyNGinG

[at]LyNGinG Lyng MakokiaT
November 2, 2011

อีก 5 ม. น้ำเอ่อถึงทางเข้าด้านหลัง ม.ราชภัฏจันทรเกษม มหา'ลัยยังไม่วางแนวป้องกันใดๆ

**StrontiumDog** · 02-11-2011, 11:26 AM

11:02am In front of The Mall Bang Khae already flooded by 30cm today http://yfrog.com/gzyn5nwj ~ [at]tossaporn_

tossaporn_
หน้าเดอะมอลล์ บางแคน้ำท่วมประมาณ 30 เซน ทั้งที่เมื่อวานแห้งสนิท yfrog.com/gzyn5nwj

**StrontiumDog** · 02-11-2011, 11:31 AM

Thai-ASEAN News Network

Bangkhen Becomes An Evacuation Zone - Bangkok Warns Locals Not to Open Klong Sam Wah Watergate

UPDATE : 2 November 2011

The Bangkok governor announced three more evacuation zones, which are the Sananiwej 2 residential neighborhood, the eastern side of Sam Wah district and Bang Khen district.

Meanwhile, the governor has warned locals not to pressure officials to open the Klong Sam Wah water gate.

Bangkok Governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra said the amount of runoff from northern Bangkok spread widely into the capital.

He asked local residents in Bangkhen and Sananiwej 2 neighborhood in Lad Phrao District, and the eastern side of Klong Sam Wah district to evacuate from the areas.

The governor also announced Sai Kong Din and Sai Kong Din Tai sub-districts, and Nong Jok District as precaution zones.

The seven districts that have been declared evacuation zones include Don Muang, Bang Prad, Sai Mai, Taweewattana, Lak Si, Talingchan, and Bang Khen.

Bangkok Deputy Governor Teerachon Manomaipiboon claimed that a group of people had been trying to destroy the water gate at Klong Sam Wah, which could worsen the situation in Bangkok.

**StrontiumDog** · 02-11-2011, 11:33 AM

Thai-ASEAN News Network

Sam Wa Sluice Gate Being Fixed

UPDATE : 2 November 2011

The authorities have started repairing the Sam Wa sluice gate, which was damaged by enraged locals who wanted the gate opened so the stagnant flood water in their homes can be drained into the Saen Saeb Canal.

To appease the locals, yesterday the government agreed to opend the sluice gate by 1 meter. However, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration officials fear doing so will place all 50 districts of the capital at risk of flooding.

Last night, Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatara went on TV to say he will invoke the disaster law to take control over various agencies in the capital in his flood prevention scheme.

As a result, 200 police officers have been ordered to stand guard while repair is being made to the Sam Wa sluice gate today. The police officers will have to prevent any action by locals to obstruct the repair.

**StrontiumDog** · 02-11-2011, 11:45 AM

11:26am Traffic jam on Petchkasem in/outbound near The Mall Bangkhae due to 20-30cm of flood http://yfrog.com/eszxetj ~[at]js100radio

Reporter_Js5
ถ.เพชรเกษม(2ฝั่ง) ช่วงเดอะมอลล์บางแค น้ำท่วม20-30ซม. การจราจรรเคลื่อนตัวช้าสลับหยุดนิ่ง yfrog.com/eszxetj

**StrontiumDog** · 02-11-2011, 11:46 AM

TAN_Network TAN News Network

Flooding reaches footpath in front of Kasemrat Hospital on Petchkasem inbound lane yfrog.com/odac0ezj

**StrontiumDog** · 02-11-2011, 11:48 AM

Bangkok Post : Yutthasak: Thailand can handle flood

Yutthasak: Thailand can handle flood

Published: 2/11/2011 at 11:23 AM
Online news:

Thailand is capable of solving the problems caused by the widespread flooding and overseas assistance is not needed, Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa said on Wednesday.

Gen Yuthasak also called on all parties to give their support to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

“The prime minister has been working around the clock in the fight against the northern runoff,” he said.

Gen Yutthasak said the Flood Relief Operations Centre had instructed police to rapidly end the conflict over watergates between people in Klong Sam Wa area.

The minister and army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha will tomorrow visit the area.

Thread: Bangkok Floods, 2nd November, 2011-Whole city at risk of flooding

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