Dry islands in the deluge
Play
How did Pak Kret, Lat Krabang and Samut Sakhon avert disaster? Willingness to cooperate, for one thing
Against all the odds, Samut Sakhon province, Bangkok’s Lat Krabang district and the Nonthaburi community of Pak Kret managed to dodge the worst flood in half a century, remaining almost completely dry “islands” thanks to a combination of public unity, smart response and unwavering spirit.
“Our people are supportive” is how Samut Sakhon Deputy Governor Apichart Todilokvej puts it bluntly.
When the huge volume of run-off from the North engulfed Nakhon Pathom and northwest Bangkok in October, it appeared certain that neighbouring Samut Sakhon was next. It was right in the floodwater’s path.
“Many analysts said we’d have to take water from Bangkok’s western zone, Nakhon Pathom and Nonthaburi, as well as Pathum Thani,” says Apichart. “And, given that Samut Sakhon is only about 872 square kilometres, they guessed the floodwater here could be up to three metres deep.”
The citizens didn’t sit back and wait. From early October there were weekly planning meetings.
They tallied the amount of water expected and surveyed the landscape to identify the best drainage routes. The 73 canals in Samut Sakhon running north to south would be crucial, so dredging began.
“Our province’s strengths are efficient local administration, a great private sector and a united people,” Apichart says.
The plan for safeguarding the province was laid out and no one protested, so that the work could proceed without interruption. “That unity of opinion allowed us to tackle problems faster.”
Governor Jullapat Saengjan even removed houses that were blocking the waterways. Again: no complaints.
Citizens filled sandbags and helped with the canal dredging. Many joined purpose-built Facebook pages such as Chumchon Khon Ban Phaeo (Ban Phaeo Resident Community) to see what else needed to be done. Others participated in a campaign called Arsa Pa Nam Long Talay (Volunteer to Bring Water to the Sea).
Meanwhile the private sector devised its own ideas, including the digging of a 100-metre “artificial canal” alongside Klong Bang Nam Jeud to help speed the floodwater along.
All this effort resulted in at least four-fifths of Samut Sakhon staying dry, in dramatic contrast to its neighbours.
As soon as it was clear that much of the province was safe, authorities shifted focus to the sections that did flood. Apichart says people living in the inundated areas received “adequate food and clothing”. A 15-day operation to drain the floodwater began last weekend.
Pak Kret’s chances of avoiding the flood catastrophe initially seemed even worse than Samut Sakhon’s. Accomplishing that involved what Mayor Wichai Bandasak calls “Mission Impossible”.
Sandbag walls went up along its borders with Sam Khok district and Bangkok’s Don Mueang district and lined 17 kilometres of the Prapa (Waterworks) Canal that passes through the municipality.
Officials, residents, monks and teachers
erected another one on the west bank of the Chao Phraya to block any overflow.
“We developed a flood-prevention plan in June,” Wichai says – long before anyone knew the perennial deluge would be so severe. The Bt100-million scheme extended to having backhoes on standby at sensitive places along the floodwall in case there was a leak.
Unlike the authorities in Samut Sakhon, those in Pak Kret did face some opposition from citizens who were upset at being inconvenienced. “We asked monks to talk to them,” the mayor says.
Wat Salak Nua assistant abbot Phra Padungsak Kositthammo says everyone finally agreed to support the plan – and even allow their homes to be flooded if necessary to save “downtown” Pak Kret. “We were ready to sacrifice,” the monk says.
Residents packed sandbags, guarded the walls and cooked meals for flooded neighbours. “We asked those in the dry zones to prepare food and help deliver relief items,” Wichai says.
The overall result was impressive. The floodwater reached only 2,500 of Pak Kret’s 80,000-plus families.
“We sent food and other essentials every week,” the mayor says. “We gave them boats and built footbridges above the floodwater.”
People in Bangkok’s Lat Krabang community also amply demonstrated a readiness to collaborate for the general good. Locals turned out in full force to help dredge the canals. In the end, although many areas were submerged, the crucial zones remained dry, and peaceful co-existence was the rule.
“To brave a crisis you need unity,” says Dr Komsan Makeesee, head of the flood-watch centre in eastern Bangkok. The deputy dean of engineering at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology says the centre explained the situation to residents as part of its crisis plan.
“Understanding the details ensures that people won’t cause problems,” Komsan says. “If they know exactly what’s going on, they can help monitor the water level.”
The centre emphasised public participation and got factory workers in the Lad Krabang Industrial Estate involved as well. “We engaged all parties, including the staff at Suvarnabhumi Airport. We pointed out that if the community flooded, everything else would likely succumb too, so it’s best to join hands.”
Laman Saraphan, one of the district’s village heads, was pleased to see King Mongkut’s Institute offer shelter to flood refugees. “They also helped drain the floodwater very effectively. We received a lot of help!”
