Thailand Floods 2011 Nov. 2th, 2011 – Nov. 11 th, 2011 SKH– Swiss Humanitarian Aid -

1. Thailand Floods 2011 Nov. 2th, 2011 – Nov. 11 th, 2011 SKH– Swiss Humanitarian Aid - Schweizerisches Korps für Humanitäre Hilfe

2. Gerard Luyet, Hydrologist (WES) Responsable de l'activité Eau Potable SIG Genève • Claudio Valsangiacomo, PhD, Microbiologist (WES) Schweiz. Fachhochschule Gesundheit Tessin • Urs Nigg, Civil Engineer (DRR, Flood Management), Abt. GeP / BAFU • Philipp Teysseire, PhD, Civil Engineer (DRR, Flood Management), Ing. Büro T&C, Visp • Thomas Fisler (HA Coordinator), Bangkok

4. Chao Phraya River 160‘000 km2 MQ: 883 m³/s Q=3‘500 - 4000 m³/s Flooded area November 2011

5. Facts • Inundation triggered by monsun • Affected population 23 Mio. • Casualities 400 (Flooded area 60‘000 km2 , approx. 12 % of Thailand) • Biggest flood in Thailand for 50 years • Damages 11.8 Mrd. Euro • Effects on world economy (Computer / Harddisks- and Automobile Industries)

6. ACTIVITIES Nov. 3 - 9: • Assessment to Bhumibol Dam, flight over flooded area • Ground inspection of flood affected areas in North East and Western Bangkok and coastal pumping stations, • Site visit on construction works of big bag dam • Water quality testing in and around greater Bangkok and treatment plant • Inspection of general conditions and water quality at Evacuation Centres • On site inspection Interaction with focal points and experts at FROC (Flood Relief Operation Center) • Meetings with staff of Ministry of Public Health • Discussion/Evaluation on flood modelling computer simulation

7. Irrigation system around Bangkok Don Muang Airport Inner Bangkok Suwarnabhumi Airport

13. Big bags along Defense line

17. FINDINGS ON FLOODWATER MANAGEMENT: • The resilience and humanitarian disaster response in dealing with the flood by everyone is outstanding • The current event is considered as a natural disaster with a rare probability • The scale and magnitude of the floods exceeds a controlled water management: damage control, humanitarian response and asset preservation is the only option • The concept of diverting the floodwater to the Eastern and Western side of inner Bangkok is correct • The influence of the built up area on the flood is only locally relevant (Anthropogenic effects)

18. FINDINGS ON FLOODWATER MANAGEMENT: • Drainage and retention infrastructures are not designed for such large scale floods • At present no accurate predictions of floodwater inundations can be done • Inflow of water towards inner Bangkok areas are still high • King’s dyke and immediate dam reinforcement measures taken are crucial to manage actual and further floods • The impact of the flood will be long term and risk reduction measures must be addressed long term

19. CONCLUSIONS: • The flood level in downtown inner Bangkok is assumed to be at very low intensity (if at all less than 30 cm) • Existing and additional spot measures (sandbags, mobile pumps) reduce the impact of further damages significantly • The outer areas will be flooded for several days and weeks • Emphasise on maximum pumping capacity to reduce further flooding and drain off the existing inundations • No additional technical options are identified to optimise the chosen strategy • The existing infrastructures need to be adjusted to minimise the risk on future floods (long term floodwater management)

20. RECOMENDATIONS: • Short term: • Continue to verify and monitor the protective measures of the Suvarnabhumi airport as a priority • Unaffected industrial areas require specialist expertise to advise on immediate localised protection measures to avoid flooding (inflatable flood barriers, sandbags, pumps) • High priority towards all required measures to maintain unhindered access of the Highway to the South • Communicate preventive steps and alert areas within the possible path of the flood as early as possible • Maintain and monitor the inner city Klongs, install additional pumping capacity if not already enforced

21. RECOMENDATIONS: • Medium term: • Further develop emergency preparedness plans : • Weather forecast and early warning/information to all relevant Departments • Organise network on floodwater management, intervention, rescue and assistance services during extraordinary situations • Incident documentation of the current floods in order to draw lessons learnt • Expand currently developed floodwater modelling and simulation to identify required measures

22. RECOMENDATIONS: • Medium term: • In depth study required to identify various options for adaptive design on sustainable flood protection, if not already enforced • Create a solid financial base to ensure the needed sustainable measures • Longer term: • Further develop of an integrated risk management of all natural dangers in Thailand • Establish a sound risk management dialogue of all stakeholders

23. Meeting with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Nov. 10, 2011

24. Activities Thank you !