7 October 2011
Massive flooding in Bangkok and several provinces
When Nock-Ten tropical storm hit northern and northeastern provinces in late July, no one thought it would be a prelude to Thailand’s worst flood disaster in 50 years.
The first death was reported in Udon Thani on August 1. By the time the waters receded several months later, total fatalities stood at 752. When Bang Chom Sri sluice gate in Sing Buri collapsed on September 13, after being unable to withstand the flood torrents rushing in from the Chao Phraya River, people in downstream provinces started to realise the crisis was for real.
Yingluck Shinawatra, the then prime minister, appeared on the TV news pool on October 7, admitting her government was almost at its wits’ end dealing with the disaster and warning people in parts of Bangkok and the Central Plains to brace for severe flooding. A day after her warning, floodwaters raged into Ayutthaya province, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of people, including patients in hospitals. Major industrial estates in the province were submerged.
Floodwaters then raged on from Ayutthaya to Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi and Bangkok. In all, thirty-six Bangkok districts were affected by the flood. Northern and eastern districts were mainly hit by the northern run-off while western districts were inundated by overflow from the Chao Phraya River. The heavily protected inner city remained dry, however. The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department reported the deluge affected 65 provinces, killing 752 people between July 25 and Christmas Day. The government estimated the total flood damage at 1.3 trillion baht.
7 October 2011
Massive flooding in Bangkok and several provinces
When Nock-Ten tropical storm hit northern and northeastern provinces in late July, no one thought it would be a prelude to Thailand’s worst flood disaster in 50 years.
The first death was reported in Udon Thani on August 1. By the time the waters receded several months later, total fatalities stood at 752. When Bang Chom Sri sluice gate in Sing Buri collapsed on September 13, after being unable to withstand the flood torrents rushing in from the Chao Phraya River, people in downstream provinces started to realise the crisis was for real.
Yingluck Shinawatra, the then prime minister, appeared on the TV news pool on October 7, admitting her government was almost at its wits’ end dealing with the disaster and warning people in parts of Bangkok and the Central Plains to brace for severe flooding. A day after her warning, floodwaters raged into Ayutthaya province, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of people, including patients in hospitals. Major industrial estates in the province were submerged.
Floodwaters then raged on from Ayutthaya to Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi and Bangkok. In all, thirty-six Bangkok districts were affected by the flood. Northern and eastern districts were mainly hit by the northern run-off while western districts were inundated by overflow from the Chao Phraya River. The heavily protected inner city remained dry, however. The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department reported the deluge affected 65 provinces, killing 752 people between July 25 and Christmas Day. The government estimated the total flood damage at 1.3 trillion baht.