Flooding puts normal life on hold

The Chao Phraya River flows the full length of Thailand, a total of 372km from north to south, through Bangkok then out into the gulf of Thailand.  It is an important river for transport and irrigation.  Cities have flourished along its course and it holds huge historical importance too.

But the recent heavy monsoon rains and sea tides have meant too much water has accumulated in the river’s tributaries, resulting in massive flooding now sweeping large parts of the country, and the capital city too.  Water levels in some areas are estimated to be the highest in 50 years.   In Bangkok, the flood waters have blocked sewerage systems and contaminated drinking water.  There are many reports of skin infections. 

Yesterday, I went to see the Chao Phraya River.  It is hugely full and crossing its limit.  Water has been diverted to canals and sandbags have been hastily arranged into barrier walls along the river banks.  But it is not enough.   The Government, politicians and local inhabitants were not prepared for flooding on this scale.  Nothing like this has been seen in the last half century.   Water used to come and go in a natural way but this year things are different.

People are trying their best to protect their houses, shops, offices and premises, putting sandbags around them and making temporary cement walls, and shifting their belongings to higher ground. 

Many Bangkokians – including some of my colleagues - have already left the city for safer places, the reduced number of cars on the roads testament to a city whose residents have fled the impending disaster.  

Food in the markets has already run out.  Finding bottled drinking water, sugar and other essentials is difficult.  Factories and industrial areas have also been submerged, making it difficult to maintain the supply chains that the city relies on.  No-one knows how long it will take to bring life back to normal.

ActionAid Thailand is responding to the disaster both in Bangkok city and in rural areas where hundreds of thousands have been forced from their homes by the flood waters.   We’ve provided food supplies and basic medicines to thousands, but the scale of the disaster is huge and much more needs to be done.   

And supporting people to recover from the floods is equally important. The Government and civil society must come together to make a comprehensive plan to ensure people can rebuild their lives and livelihoods, and to put in place measures that mean people are less vulnerable to future floods and disasters.

Read more about our response to floods across Asia.