Locals repair and prepare after deluge

Residents in several flood-ravaged areas of Lamphun’s Muang district are grappling not only with slowly receding floodwater but also foul smelling contaminated water.
One of the worst-hit communities is Ban Luk in tambon Muang-ngam which has endured severe flooding for about a week. The stagnant water has become polluted and is threatening their quality of life, local authorities said on Sunday.
Although the floodwaters are receding, it is expected to take at least five days for them to fully drain due to limited drainage capacity.
Dr Sopon Iamsirithaworn, the Public Health Ministry’s inspector-general, said that now flooding in Chiang Mai has eased, public health authorities are ready to implement post-flood recovery measures.
He said these measures include prevention and control of waterborne diseases and sanitation and environmental hygiene, adding the surveillance is focusing on three diseases: leptospirosis, melioidosis and dengue fever.
All healthcare facilities under the ministry’s supervision in Chiang Mai have resumed services while 36 shelters remain open to those who need assistance.
As for Lamphun, 12 shelters are open for flood victims but the hospital under the ministry has been affected by the inundation.
The ministry has sent 55 teams to assist more than 2,700 flood victims during the flood crisis and to evaluate their mental health, he said.
Out of 509 who underwent mental health assessment, 21 were found to be suffering from intense stress, with one at risk of depression and 12 showing suicidal tendencies. They have been referred for further care.
The recent flooding has caused 70 fatalities, injured 2,420 others and left two people missing, according to the ministry’s reports.
Meanwhile, Amorn Pimanmas, president of the Thailand Structural Engineers Association, said the recent flooding in Chiang Rai province should be a significant warning sign that the country needs better policies to limit the impact of severe flooding.
People have suffered from unusual flooding patterns due to a change of landscape in the province. Urban expansion takes place with little regard to the natural water flow route, he said.
Road construction, house estate projects and buildings that are blocking that flow have contributed greatly to the flooding, while water retention zones or wetland have been seriously invaded in response to the city’s rapid expansion, he said.
Mr Amorn suggested that an Environment Impact Assessment study should be conducted for any land use in those sensitive areas while additional engineering measures are also needed to mitigate against further flood damage.
He said that a water flow map is also necessary to limit the loss from any further natural disaster.
“We can’t avoid disasters, but we can limit losses if we understand them better. Technology and engineering knowledge are important tools that the government should invest in to save lives and property,” he said.