In the previous year, flooding in the Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai province led to economic damages amounting to millions.
Specialists think this might signal the start of a yearly trend of destruction triggered by intense natural calamities.
In May, Mae Sai, a border town located across from Myanmar’s Tachileik to the west and approximately 900 kilometers north of Bangkok, experienced flooding twice.
A surge of water from the Sai River flooded the city. It was alleged that gold and rare earth mining activities in Myanmar contributed to this issue, along with large-scale monoculture plantations.
As a result of these activities, significant tree cover was lost, exacerbating flood issues.
Wannasin Keerakad, a municipal clerk from the Mae Sai subdistrict municipality, remembered how residents had not been impacted by flooding on such an extensive scale before.
The growth of the town, resulting in encroachment along the riverside, coupled with the lack of arable woodland to soak up excess water, has exacerbated the destruction caused by floods.
According to the civil registry, the town has approximately 20,000 inhabitants; however, once you include those who aren’t officially registered, the population might actually be around twice as much, he mentioned.
Structures built unlawfully along the riverside result in a more constricted natural channel of water.
"The problem isn't limited to flooding; we're also dealing with significant amounts of mud. The Sai River has transported numerous tons of sediment from the Myanmar side and impacted our town. This issue could escalate further if mining activities persist," he stated.
Mr. Wannasin stated that the extent of the flooding in Mae Sai exceeds the capabilities of the local authorities to handle effectively. He emphasized that Mae Sai requires urgent intervention from the government to rescue the situation.
Previously, a flood was deemed significant when the precipitation surpassed 100 millimeters. However, nowadays, even a modest rainfall of about 60 millimeters can cause substantial disruption in the town due to the river becoming shallower because of an extensive accumulation of silt.
He mentioned that Mae Sai critically requires a continuous 3.6-kilometer flood barrier, which he believes could be the most impactful solution, along with enhancing the river’s ability to handle increased water flow.
People living alongside the riverside who consented to tear down their houses were advised that the administration ought to help them find alternative accommodations.
Mae Sai serves as a significant border crossing point between Thailand and Myanmar; directly opposite lies the town of Tachileik in Shan State, separated only by a bridge.
Last September, the two cities were devastated by heavy floods and a sea of mud. It took two months to clean up Mae Sai.
The two communities subsequently decided to establish a 40-meter non-construction area to facilitate the widening of the riverbank.
Every unauthorized structure within the area needs to be torn down. However, no advancements have been achieved regarding this matter yet.
In the meantime, an investment of 74.8 million baht has been made to clear out the Sai River and the Ruak River over a distance of 30.9 kilometers, aiming to enhance their water drainage capability during the monsoon season.
The Office of the National Water Resources states that it is anticipated to be finished by next month.
Anek Siripanichgorn, who serves as a board member for the Council of Engineers Thailand and chairs the organization’s working group on natural disasters, stated that the town requires “unique urban planning” to address the significant flood risks it faces.
A water retention area and a floodway are necessary to manage the water flowing into the city. According to him, relying solely on a floodwall may not be sufficient to address the issue.
The difficulty lies in the torrent of mud flowing from the denuded mountains in Myanmar.
He mentioned that the floodwall may require annual repairs because of powerful water currents and an enormous quantity of sediment during heavy rains.
The community must begin adjusting to coexist with yearly flooding, safeguarding resources and their lifestyle. Otherwise, they might need to consider moving elsewhere.
In the meantime, Tara Buakamsri, an advisor to Greenpeace Southeast Asia’s Thailand branch, stated that Asean’s collaborative approach has not been adequate for tackling present climate issues. The flooding in Mae Sai serves as a crucial illustration of how environmental effects can cross borders.
The ASEAN Agreement on Haze Pollution aims to tackle cross-border contamination but has yielded limited success due to its reliance on voluntary collaboration and adherence to the non-intervention policy.
He stated, "We hope for increased governmental action regarding both the flooding problem in Mae Sai and the severe heavy-metal pollution in a northern river due to mining operations in Shan State. Ultimately, this could jeopardize regional security concerning public health and environmental issues."
Effective collaboration among residents is crucial as well. People from towns on either side of the borderline could create early alert mechanisms to assist in minimizing damages, according to him.
He suggested that it could be feasible for the Mekong River Commission to bring up the matter with China regarding the subpar environmental conduct of specific Chinese companies, which may help mitigate the issue.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. Syndigate.info ).
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