Is your home at risk?

A computer database that Bangkok residents can use to estimate the risk of flooding at their homes was introduced on Tuesday by Chulalongkorn University.
The Flood Risk Evaluation System for Thailand (Flood_REST) is available on severeal platforms, including desktop computers, Google Earth and as an app on the iPhone, Android and Windows Mobile.
The margin of error for flood level is plus or minus 30cm for homes in most districts of Bangkok, and plus or minus 10cm for Bangkok’s Prawet district and Samut Prakan Province.
Flood_REST’s estimates are based on various data, such as the geographic information system (GIS) mapping and input from government and private agencies.
“It will give homeowners self-assurance, in addition to the information from the government,” says one of the developers, Assoc Prof Phaisal Santithammanont of Chula’s Faculty of Engineering.
The university is trying to get information for Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Chacheongsao, Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon from the Agriculture Ministry for use with Flood_REST, says deputy CU rector Prof Kua Wongbunsin.
“The proposed acquisition would probably cover a four-month period for immediate use,” Kua added.
The Agriculture Ministry spent Bt1.8 billion to develop its database, and the university had offered Bt200 million for access to it, but was turned down.
Kua said the database would be very useful in city planning, and he would propose the Flood_REST solution to the government as an option for permanent use.

ON THE WEB
For more on Flood_REST, visit www.Chula.ac.th/flood_rest.