Natural Disasters in Thailand - Essay Example

?Natural Disasters in Thailand i. Introduction Thailand is recognized worldwide to have been a southeast nation with rich colorful history and culture at the heart of the Indochina Peninsula. With this depiction is associated the knowledge of the country’s economy which has relied much upon the markets of fishing and farming. Because this is the prevailing case, however, developments implemented on seas and lands from which fishing and agricultural resources are achieved bear factors that contribute to the manner by which natural disasters behave out of geological adjustments thereof, in degree and regularity. Common disasters of nature that are heretofore historically documented to shape and influence Thailand’s geographical domains are namely – floods, landslides, cyclones, earthquakes, and drought. ii. Natural Disasters in Thailand (Definitions) a. Cyclone pertains to an atmospheric system of winds or storm characterized by brisk inward rotation toward an area of low atmospheric pressure about which such winds circulate at speed range of 20 to 30 mph (approx. 30 to 50 kph) either counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere or clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. Cyclones have normally been reported to bring torrential rains frequently accompanied by destructive weather such as severe tropical storm. b. Drought refers to an abnormal condition of low rainfall or below average precipitation which occurs over an extended period in hot dry land areas eventually causing interference on human activity. The unusually dry weather brings about deficiency in water-supply since there is barely a sufficient amount of rainfall that can be utilized by humans especially in agriculture and the rest of the ecosystem. Where drought is present, the small quantities of rare precipitation are either taken up by dry air or absorbed into the ground immediately so that living organisms find it very difficult to live on lands with exceeding dryness. c. Earthquake is found to be a sudden violent movement or shaking of the Earth’s lithosphere (curst and upper mantle) due to release of energy in tremendous amount from the stresses that accumulate along the geologic fault plane which consequently generates low-frequency sound waves known as the ‘seismic waves’. d. Flood is referred to as the inundation of land brought by an abnormal progressive rise in the stream level of natural confines such as lakes, rivers, creeks, or other watercourses of nature resulting into an overflowing of water in immense quantity which then covers the normally dry land. Often, floods are attributed to weather phenomena responsible for conveying more precipitation to a drainage basin than can be readily acquired within the basin. e. Landslide, otherwise called “landslip” pertains to a geological phenomenon of ‘mass wasting’ which involves the sliding of a mass of earth or soil, rock, and debris down a mountain slope that is basically driven by the action of gravity. Such events as rock fall, slope failure, and shallow debris flow may depict a landslide scenario whereby land masses waste off down a slope range of mountainous land forms designated at offshore, coastal, as well as onshore regions. iii. Further Details a. Cyclones: i. Signs and Symptoms Darkening of the skies may be observed at the onset of a cyclonic storm. This sign typically proceeds with the occurrence of lightening and thunder including the continuous downpour of rain. ii. Prevention Control and Recovery Measures Prior to the incident of cyclone, alert and warning stages indicate the necessity to examine dwellings for preparation purposes. In this event, household members inclusive of children must be brought to awareness of an approaching cyclonic storm particularly its effects and the safety measures that ought to be taken accordingly. People should ready waterproof storage containers for valuables, important documents, food, beverage, and medicine supplies. It is also advised that trees and shrubs be trimmed to resist wind and minimize potential damage when the cyclone strikes. Battery-powered radio sets must be kept on for further announcements by local officials from whom to obtain information on risks and whether or not a certain region must be evacuated for security. Once the cyclone arrives, people are generally advised to remain on a ground the ground level of their residential units. No one should leave the place of residence at this point as much as possible and it would be perilous to seek refuge in damaged structures or those near trees and posts with power lines. By the time the natural disaster subsides, one should watch out for snakes and hazardous insects. Additional precaution must be sought on visiting flooded areas and at least 24 hours must pass before fishermen can safely resume work at sea for fishing. iii. Examples of Such Episodes in Thailand There had been 23 cyclones which struck Thailand between 1901 and 2004, claiming 1,468 lives according to The Earth Institute at Columbia University. At an instant, the strongest tropical cyclone Mala which formed in the Bay of Bengal back in 2006 at speed of 115 mph was recorded to have hit both Myanmar and northern Thailand at the time. Despite such figure in Thailand’s meteorological history, studies demonstrate that the country is not normally prone to destructive depressions caused by cyclonic storms. By far, the deadliest cyclones that had been encountered with alarming rate of mortality and frequency transpired in other Asian countries like Bangladesh, India, and China whereas in Thailand, the common casualties were mostly fishermen in no significant count. b. Droughts i. Signs and Symptoms Drought signs are readily detectable. Drying of wells and emptying of water-supply reservoirs are an indicator that drought has come. After some time, crop damage by withering upon the ground’s lack of moisture or adequate water content is widely observed. For a considerable period, rain does not fall so that decline in vegetation, health, and sanitation continues. ii. Recovery Measures After drought, applying nitrogen may restore root reserves and allowing livestock to graze moderately is also recommended while giving the regained soil moisture the time to facilitate rapid field growth. It might as well help for the community to act beforehand via constructing tools and emergency reservoirs to hold an amount of water that would aid certain human activities somehow during the recovery process. Moreover, people should be educated regarding prevention of overcropping and overgrazing on areas susceptible to drought. iii. Examples of Such Episodes in Thailand Though Thailand is known for its monsoon or wet climate wherein it receives heavy rainfall on a regular basis, the country has had its share of encountering uncommon droughts. In the north of Thailand, especially within the Isaan area, majority of the peasants who struggle for subsistence were reportedly the ones affected by drought concerns. With the recent climate change, rainfall pattern has become subjected to variability and on this ground, Thailand met one of its fates with drought in 2010 before another series of abnormally high levels of rainfall came in 2011. c. Earthquakes i. Signs and Symptoms Several precursors indicate whether an earthquake is about to take place. For one, the average temperature of an area increases a couple of months prior to the main event. Seismo-electromagnetically, the geomagnetic field is reduced as a consequence of the rise in subsurface temperature and this condition adversely affects the propagation of electromagnetic waves as greatly experienced on mediums like radio, television and telephone. Animals become highly disturbed and restless, lacking directions in their movement which manifests fear. Similarly, the highly disturbed sensitive patients in hospitals altogether make human precursor when they are observed to exhibit an abrupt rise in blood pressure, headache, and illnesses within respiratory and circulatory systems. ii. Control and Recovery Measures Before the arrival of an earthquake, it is advisable to pay regard for the possibility of hazards at home by inspecting sharp objects that may fall, chemical substances that may spill, and any faulty electrical connections that may need repair. Safe places, indoors and outdoors, have to be identified so as to protect oneself from collapsing structures and falling or splintering glasses. All family members ought to learn how to take precautionary measures and make sure to keep emergency items ready for use such as flashlights and batteries, medicines, food, water, and cash. When violent tremors occur, one must seek protection indoors via heavy desk or table under which to hide and step away from streetlights, posts, buildings, and power cables in the open. While in a moving vehicle, a driver should note to stop at a safety zone or one that is free of trees, utility wires, and tall columns, avoiding as well the collapsible roads, ramps, and bridges. Upon the cessation of earthquake, people need to keep themselves away from damaged places and anticipate aftershocks and any additional media-delivered emergency statements made by regional authorities. Call for help and relief operations should be conducted with utmost urgency to rescue the injured and trapped victims. iii. Examples of Such Episodes in Thailand One such episode of earthquake in Thailand was the 4.3-magnitude disaster that hit the island of Phuket in April 16 of 2012. Over the border of Myanmar, two large earthquakes were formed in the 11th of November, later of the same year, which seriously affected the city of Chiang Mai in the north whereas Bangkok also felt some minor shaking due to the earthquake of 6.6 magnitude. Even as Thailand is geologically found to be situated in a spot on Earth relatively safe from earthquake, a survey rendered by the Department of Mineral Resources has shown that 14 groups of active faults spread across 22 provinces in Thailand as of March 2012. This appears to manifest that it could still be prone to a number of tremors being on the Eurasian tectonic plate (demarcated by the Indo-Australian and Pacific plates).   d. Floods i. Signs and Symptoms Thunderstorm functions as a warning signal for the emergence of flood as its rapid movement implies that huge quantities of rain may be dropped within a short time span. It is also capable of promoting a system of slow precipitation within appreciable time lengths. Runoffs and rising of streams and creeks also constitute flood signs particularly since runoffs are produced through rain falls after the melting of snow. ii. Control, Recovery and Recommendations Each locality that is bound to experience flooding is summoned to yield knowledge on flood schemes, distinction between a watch and a warning, ways to protect property, and the manner of communicating flood awareness to children. As part of planning to prepare for flood, it would come in handy to develop a family disaster plan if there seem higher risks toward floods as to require insurance agent, evacuation scheme, and instructions for children follow certain rules on do’s and don’ts. They must be warned about not playing around storm drains, ditches, ravines, or culverts. Recommendations on ways to protect property – (1) keep insurance policies, documents, and other valuables in a safe; (2) avoid building in a floodplain unless home is elevated and reinforced; (3) raise furnace, water heater, and electric panel to higher floors; (4) install check valves in building sewer traps; (5) construct barriers like levees, berms, and flood walls to stop floodwater from entering the building; and (6) contact local emergency management office for further details on mitigation options to reduce potential flood damage. Recommendations on what to do: Before Flooding – (1) be alert to the possibility of a flood if it has been raining hard for several hours and steadily raining for a couple of days; (2) listen for distant thunder; (3) camp or park away from streams and washes if a vehicle must be stopped; and (4) when passing through stream channels, be sure to have updates on any contingent flashfloods originating from either dam breaks or thunderstorms; After Flooding – (5) seek necessary medical care at the nearest hospital or clinic; (6) get rid of disaster areas and help neighbors who may require special assistance in handling infants, disabled people, and elderly ones; (7) stay out of any building if floodwaters remain around the building; (8) avoid entering any building and report shattered utilities to some authorities in-charge; (9) wear boots or sturdy shoes and use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights when examining closed structures; (10) inspect foundations for cracks or other damage and look for hazards; and (11) throw away food that has come in contact with flood waters. iii. Examples of Such Episodes in Thailand Thailand possesses a tropical climate and monsoons which cause extensive rainy season that is eventually responsible for the formation of floods throughout the country. Over the last few years, cities like Chiang Mai and Bangkok have had extreme cases of flooding to the extent that their main streets had to be sandbagged. Almost each year, the unforeseen accidents made by heavy rains and floods claim lives of a large number of Thai people. Just recently, a cave at the south flooded and a group of tourists drowned upon entering the cave to have shelter sought from the rain. An episode of severe flooding took place during the monsoon season of 2011 in Thailand which started at the end of July when the landfall of tropical storm Nock-ten triggered flooding. River basins of Mekong and Chao Phraya instantly overflowed, causing floods to spread specifically throughout the provinces of northern, northeastern and central Thailand. In October, portions of Bangkok were covered by the floodwaters that arrived at the mouth of the Chao Phraya after which inundation continued on some other areas resulting in a total of 815 deaths by the middle of January, 2012. Over 13 million people suffered the impact of the flood while more than 20,000 sq. km. of farming area was devastated. e. Landslides i. Signs and Symptoms Observable landscape changes such as land movement, leaning trees, minor slides, and sight of flow comprise a significant indicator of a landslide. Equivalently, new cracks appearing in plaster, tiles, walls, and those along walks or stairs could hint a symptom leading to a landslide event. Unusual cracking sounds coming from trees and boulders additionally signal mass wasting whereas some other signs involve ground bulges at the foot of the slope, new stream routs for water flow, and widening cracks that develop in sidewalks and roads. ii. Control, Recovery Measures and Recommendations Since landslide is usually far from predictable, preparing for safety from its disastrous course may include leaving the area the moment positive warning signs are detected. It would be best to consider improving or remodeling one’s house at a safe distance apart from mountain edges and natural erosion valleys. Flexible pipe fittings must be installed to prevent fluid leakage and building of channels would account for redirection of mudflows. Furthermore, landslides can be better taken control of by planting ground cover on slopes, establishing retaining walls, and other means according to knowledge of property’s landslide history and ground evaluation. iii. Examples of Such Episodes in Thailand Besides flooding, landslide turns out to be one other chief natural disaster which Thailand is confronted with by norm. The hazards brought through landslide have been witnessed to incur enormous losses in terms of lives and properties alike that it becomes essential to promote a higher degree of public awareness. Flooding and landslide frequented Thailand via the district of Kathun, the province of Nakhon Sithammarat, and the south of the country in 1988 where the most destructive episode struck Ban Kathun Nua with around 230 casualties. Within the provincial boundaries of Petchaboon, Ban Nam Chun was not spared of the devastating landslip as well and in 2006, even the Nan provinces along with the country’s north and the Uttaradit had to deal with two principal events of landslide. iv. Conclusion On the basis of these findings, flood and landslide problems are apparently the grave issues that the Thai government and civilians should designate serious collaboration and focus on. There ought to be new ways of utilizing land and water resources herein so as not to effect excessive alterations upon the country’s physical geologic composition to the point that they become conducive to the creation of natural disasters. Citizens and touring visitors, nevertheless, feel the guarantee that earthquakes, cyclones, and droughts are less than significant concerns due to the absence of specific conditions that enhance their high probability of happening in Thailand. v. 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