Of Water, Of Chaos

Flood.

Compared to other threats around the world, such as earthquakes, tornadoes, and erupting volcanoes, a simple excess of water may not seem as terrifying as that of raging winds, splitting earth, or molten lava. Yet such a threat has now proven itself to be very real in Thailand.

One aspect of the flood in Thailand is simply that it is simply not immediate enough for many to notice it. Such floods have been occurring in Northern Thailand since May. Rainfall itself was three times over the ordinary during March. Flooding began to occur in northern provinces because of flooding and several dams were forced to discharge excess water in order to keep the area from flooding.

By the beginning of October, most dams in the north were either close to their full capacity or over it. Forced to discharge excess water, this worsened flooding downstream.

Personally, when I heard the rumors of flood during the beginning of October, I never actually expected the flood to affect me personally. It was more of an abstract idea in my mind than an actual reality. However, a month later and I see myself having moved away from home, the entire campus that I have lived in since I as born has been completely flooded.

Many people simply never expect themselves to be the ones facing natural disasters, until the point where it actually affects them. Now however, the signs are showing in Bangkok, as more and more sandbags are beginning to show in various places around the city. Different roads have been blocked and rendered inaccessible, forcing traffic in other parts of the city and causing a disruptance in the general flow of cars and other vehicles. Many families will be forced to evacuate from their homes and others could potentially find themselves inundated by the flood before having a chance to move away.

While disrupting major supply lines and disabling several industrial estates, the flood has also managed to fill a country with the feeling of panic, confusion and chaos. While there will obviously be the environmental effect, with all of the displaced mud and other materials all around the country, there will also be the sense of uncertainty, as governments, organizations and institutions will have to decide whether or not to continue work, or to stay safe and reduce the risk for people working.

Right now the flood continuing, draining away south as time passes, eventually northern regions will have to recover and begin pumping out, while Bangkok will continue to receive more water from the north. In the months that will come, people not yet affected cannot simply view the flood as something that will never happen to them. If action can be taken, then it should be taken. A lot of controversy is currently going on because of the manipulation of flood water through the city. Protests and other occurring conflicts will only serve to make the situation worse, and I may not know how it feels to have flood waters intentionally redirected to my residence, but I have already experienced how it feels to lose my home.

The greatest impact on humans by the flood, has undoubtedly been a psychological one. The feeling of losing a home and not having any control over whether or not you will be able to get it back is a strong one, and right now, time will only tell what will happen after the flood has gone, and then there will be the issue of attempting to recover as quickly and cheaply as possible.


Sources:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/new/national/Major-dams-over-capacity-30166650.html

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/252818/death-toll-in-ravaged-provinces-climbs-to-37

http://asiancorrespondent.com/67306/thailand-why-was-so-much-water-kept-in-the-dams-part-ii/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-15610536