Muang Udon Thani Natural disaster events and impacts within the target provinces.

77

6.1 Natural disaster events and impacts within the target provinces.

6.1.1 Muang Udon Thani

Muang Udon Thani is no exception concerning climate change effects. The District has to cope with climate unpredictability comprising of seasonal as well as un-seasonal intense weather events. In July 2000 the highest record of rain for the whole province fell over the whole area including the city and led to massive floods, causing two fatalities and the interruption of all activities for several days. In August 2001 torrential monsoon rainfalls for more than two weeks triggered many fatalities and displaced thousands of people. These massive climatic events, meant to occur more frequently, unhinge the normal course of activities and can foster new type of vulnerabilities and increase the existing one, if undertaking of adaptation initiatives is delayed. Table 6.1. Worst cases of flood events in provinces Source: DDPM main office Details Udon Thani Chiang Rai Phuket Songkhla Samut Sakhon Year 2005 2008 2003 2000 2003 No. of people affected 126,520 45,620 18,929 225,005 337 No. of households affected 42,500 12,562 3,177 69,564 91 No. of buildings affected 10 253 2,790 Area agriculture affected Rai 72,560 8650 219 94,736 Loss Baht 90,562,500 112,560,400 40,425,350 187,205,460 30,960,000 Every one to two years Udon Thani is issuing warnings for tropical storms, which originate over the South China Sea, during the months of May to October Table 6.1. Cyclones in the area trigger unusual wind currents of which speed may comprise between 63kmh and 118 kmh and high levels of rainfall. Large-scale industries of the region which include sugar mills, agro-based industries are frequently getting affected. Between January and July 2009, 2 tropical storms have been reported by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation DDPM of Udon Thani. 1,404 people and an overall of 434 households have been affected, leading to an economic loss of 4,236,290 Baht. Muang Udon Thani also is vulnerable to annual events of droughts and the districts main livelihood within the district is connected with agriculture sector. Drought events not only create losses to farmer families but also force them to leave the area for employment opportunities available in Cities. 78 Table 6.2. Drought data from 2004 to 2009 Source DDPM main office Event Years Details Province Udon Thani Chiang Rai Phuket Hat Yai Song Khla Samut Sakhon Drought 2004 No. of people affected 289,621 80,366 81,598 19,813 No. of Household affected 64,508 33,334 22,991 4,466 Area agriculture affected Rai 51,468 Loss Baht 8,704,127 12,880,254 2005 No. of people affected 275,270 272,900 52,356 417095 No. of Household affected 879,620 69,460 5,840 77442 Area agriculture affected Rai 284,806 86,329 13799 Loss Baht 69,733,616 4,643,550 364500 2006 No. of people affected 779,609 306,733 984 No. of Household affected 193,062 108,657 389 Area agriculture affected Rai 65,964 Loss Baht 10,460,000 2007 No. of people affected 779,609 321,746 1,974 23,650 No. of Household affected 196,912 111,717 614 6,782 Area agriculture affected Rai 55,719 9,949 Loss Baht 9,871,400 994,900 2008 No. of people affected 671,829 392,668 No. of Household affected 189,992 133,568 Area agriculture affected Rai 9,006 Loss Baht 5,214,474 Jan - No. of people affected 764,470 July No. of Household affected 199,236 2009 Area agriculture affected Rai Loss Baht 79 Table 6.3. Tropical storm data Source: Thailand Meteorological Dept Years Details No. of event Type Name Date of event Udon Thani Chiang Rai Phuket Hat Yai Song Khla Samut Sakhon 1977 Tropical storm CARLA 7710 9577 1 - - - - 1978 Tropical storm SHIRLEY 7805 1778 - 1 - - - Tropical storm BESS 7810 81278 1 - - - - 1983 Depression - 10483 1 - - - 1984 Tropical storm VERNON 8401 11684 1 - - - - 1985 Typhoon CECIL 8521 161085 1 - - - - 1986 Typhoon WAYNE 8614 6986 - 1 - - - 1987 Typhoon BETTY 8709 170887 - 1 - - - 1989 Tropical storm CECEL 8904 260589 1 1 - - - Typhoon DAN 8926 141089 - 1 - - - 1991 Typhoon FRED 9111 170891 1 - - - - 1992 Depression - 200992 1 - - - - 1993 Tropical storm LEWIS 9303 130793 - 1 - - - Tropical storm WINONA 9312 300893 1 - - - - Depression - 291193 - - 1 - - Typhoon MANNY 9327 151293 - - - 1 - 1994 Tropical storm AMY 9410 310794 - 1 - - - 2003 Typhoon KONI 0308 230703 - 1 - - - 2004 Typhoon CHANTHU 0405 130604 1 - - - - 2005 Tropical storm VICENTE 0516 190905 - 1 - - - Typhoon DAMREY 0518 280905 - 1 - - - 80 Figure 6.2. Damages and destruction in Muang Udon Thani due to disaster Source: DDPM provincial office, Municipality 81

6.1.2 Muang Chiang Rai