Hat yai: The recent flooding in Hat Yai District and the southern region of Thailand, despite water levels receding in many areas, underscores the critical need for the country to enhance its disaster preparedness. This event has spotlighted the increasing frequency of extreme events and the necessity for Thailand to adapt to changing natural conditions.
According to Thai News Agency, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suthisak Sornlump, a geo-disaster expert and lecturer at Kasetsart University, has explained that while overall rainfall in the southern region has not increased significantly, the number of rainy days has decreased, and the intensity of rainfall has risen. Dr. Suthisak compares this to a “squeezed” rainfall distribution curve, where the same volume of water is delivered in a shorter time, overwhelming the existing drainage systems.
The recent flooding was concentrated in areas such as Dan Sadao and Khao Kho Hong, revealing the potential for similar events to occur with unexpected intensity in the future. Dr. Suthisak emphasizes that future events must not result in similar losses, highlighting the importance of urban design and engineering structures that account for extreme events.
Dr. Suthisak has proposed two critical criteria to enhance disaster management: identifying the point at which structures require evacuation and the point at which assistance becomes impossible. The interval between these criteria is crucial for evacuation efforts, necessitating clear and compelling evacuation messages.
The expert stresses the importance of building a national culture of safety and preparedness, akin to countries like China, Japan, and the United States, which regularly face extreme disasters. Dr. Suthisak advocates for local-level preparation, evaluating existing structures, and fostering a routine practice of evacuation plans.
Dr. Suthisak also calls for a reform in Thailand’s disaster management system, emphasizing the need for a dedicated agency or organization for disaster prevention and management, free from political influence. He argues for the appointment of prepared professionals as incident commanders, rather than politicians or inexperienced civil servants, to ensure effective disaster management.
The protection of citizens’ lives, according to Dr. Suthisak, should be safeguarded by stable laws and organizations, allowing them to operate independently of changing political landscapes. While disasters cannot be entirely prevented, Thailand can improve its strategies to mitigate losses and better prepare for future extreme events.