In terms of natural disasters, no one will easily forget 2011, as the year marked Thailand’s worst flooding in five decades. Floodwaters swept across 60 of Thailand’s 77 provinces over a two-month period, resulting in heavy loss of life and significant damage to homes, factories and businesses. Bangkok was not spared, with low-lying areas and communities next to the river and canals the most vulnerable.
Since then, sporadic flooding in numerous provinces has occurred from late September, when seasonal rainfall was exacerbated by the effect of several tropical storms. As a Thailand resident, how should one prepare for the potential deluge? While it’s impossible to completely keep Mother Nature at bay, here are some tips on how to mitigate the effects of heavy flooding:
Tips for Rainy Season in Thailand
- Stay up-to-date on the latest flood news – there are several free apps that report on the flood situation throughout the country, including ‘Water4Thai’, the official app from Thailand’s flood management agency that provides data (in Thai and English) on the flooded areas, weather, rainfall volumes, amount of water in rivers and major dams, and high tides
- Reduce the risk of floodwaters getting inside your property by buying basic equipment, including sandbags to wall off your front gate, especially if your Thai house is at or lower than the level of the street; water-proofing sealant for exterior walls; and non-return valves for drains and outlet pipes to prevent wastewater from flowing back into the property through ground floor toilet sewerage systems
- Consider the usefulness of additional free-standing barriers around your property, such as cinder block walls, but remember that water can still get in through the drainage system
- Buy an efficient pump if you are at risk for groundwater seepage – remember that sandbags will be ineffective in this situation
- Plan for flood-related electricity outages – you may need a back-up diesel generator to run your basic household lighting and power needs
- Prepare the interior of your property in advance to reduce the damage floodwater might cause, making drying out and cleaning up easier; examples are keeping items on high mounted shelves; affixing your TV and other AV equipment to the wall, about 1.5 to 2 metres above floor level; raising refrigerators and other appliances on blocks or pallets; fitting floors with tiles rather than wood; temporarily removing wooden doors and wall skirting; and covering as much furniture as possible with large, re-sealable plastic bags
- Consult with an electrician about raising electrical outlets, fuse boxes, controls and wiring
- Have basic supplies on hand, such as bottled drinking water, non-perishable food items, a first aid kit, flashlights, batteries, etc.
- Get other equipment such as knee-high rubber boots and an inflatable dingy, just in case, to make travel and transport in and out of flooded areas easier and safer
