Flooding in Thailand

Last Updated (Tuesday, 01 November 2011 11:15)

Dear YMCA Friends,

Update - Water flood situation in the Kingdom of Thailand

 

The Thai Alliance of YMCAs would like to inform you about the water flood situation in Thailand.

 

First of all, we would like to thank you for your concern and support in the last few weeks.These water floods have been the worst in decades and still disturb the life of many peoples in Thailand. Actually, the water is down to Bangkok where more then 12 millions peoples lives. Army, citizen and official, work all together to avoid the worse in central Bangkok

 

 

After weeks of water management to avoid central Bangkok to get flood, the dams are completely full and huge areas were completely flooded in the north of Bangkok. It is now appears that it will be impossible to avoid Bangkok to be flooded in the next few days. In fact, the authorities decided to open all the Bangkok water gate to help to fasten the irrigation of the water to the see. This action may result in up to 1.5 meter of water in some area of the north and east part of Bangkok.

 

Until now, the water flood killed 356 peoples across Thailand according to official government number. A total of 28 provinces suffer from flooding and 9 millions are concern by the worse water flood in decades.

 

As of yesterday, the emergency center set up to respond to the crisis counted 113,000 peoples and the authorities were not able to tell when they will be able to come back to their home.

 

Moreover, this disaster is expected to cost 3.3 billion dollars to the government according to the last estimate. In terms of growth, this could cost up to 2% of the GDP projected for this years. This is worst then the previous estimate of 0.9% made last week by the National Economic and Social Development.

 

With the end of the rainy season, authorities expect the situation to get better in the next 4-6 weeks.

 

Situation in Chiang Mai

 

The situation in Chiang Mai now is back to normal since 3 weeks. We have a branch “Sao Hin” that was affected by the water flood since this branch is by the Ping river witch is one of the biggest river in Chiang Mai Province. Our staff work days and night to clean during one week. The branch didn’t suffer from any structural damage but we loose a lot of advertising material, decoration and some furniture.

 

As we are in the YMCA family we would like to thanks all friends whom you care, concern inspire and players to us during this crisis period.

 

Warmest regards,

 

Mr.Rachan Maneekarn
National General Secretary
Thai Alliance of YMCAs