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8.5 Utility services
Another sector severely getting affected by climate related extreme weather events is the utility sector. Water supplies, sanitation, solid waste management, sewage management,
electricity, telecommunications all suffer damages as a result of flooding and water logging. Water becomes contaminated in the supply lines due to submerge conditions and leakage.
The drainage system gets blocked due to clogging and obstructions created by floating elements, waste material, plastic bags. Roadside waste bins and containers are usually
submerged during floods and door to door solid waste collection and disposal services become impossible in many parts of the cities which has tendency to get flooding and water
logging. The heavy winds and cyclones create problems to overhead lines for power and electricity supply and fallen trees over lines create more dangerous situations as people also
can get affected due to electrocution. In short all utility services grind to a halt during flood events. When water supply is interrupted due to flood events the local government authorities
will also have additional workload to transport water using tankers or trucks.
The vulnerability of utility services is higher in the cities which are having highest threat from extreme weather events. This was observed in Hat Yai in floods in year 2001, in Udon
Thani in year 2008 and Chiang Rai in year 2008
Table 8.7. Location of water supply source and sanitary landfill in Muang district Source: Municipality
Munng District
Water Supply Source
Sanitary landfill
Udon Thani
Huay Lueang Dam
Huay It
Chiang Rai
Mae Kok River
Huay Sak
Hat Yai
U Ta Phao canal
Kuan Lung
Phuket Bang
Wad Dam Saphan
Hin
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Figure 8.28. Utilities in Muang district Source: Municipality, Field survey
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8.6 Industrialcommercial sector.
Business and economic activities in cities can come to a virtual standstill as a result of heavy rainfall if it causes heavy flooding, water logging so on. Mostly small, medium and large
scale industries and factories are affected by similar events when they are located within the cities which are prone to flooding. The cities under the study have such an industrial and
commerce base due to concentration of factories such as garments, textiles, cold storage, agro-based industries, furniture etc. In addition cities such as Phuket, Hat Yai and Chiang Rai
are famous tourist destinations and are rich in tourism infrastructure and hotels. Most of the factories and business establishments usually are compelled to restrict operations or stop
operations due to the fact that floods and water logging can create disruptions to services such as electricity and water. If they do not posses alternate facilities such as standby
generators or water supply schemes such disruptions can last for weeks which can cause heavy losses. On the other hand due to transportation difficulties most of the workers also
will have difficulties to report for work. Most factories have skilled and unskilled workforces who live in substandard housing located in areas vulnerable to floods. In such cases they will
have the priority to relocate in to safer areas with families rather then reporting for work. So vulnerable conditions prevailing in cities connected with infrastructure and utility services to
climate change also can inflict losses due to non-functioning or limitations in coping with extreme weather events.
Figure 8.29. Commercial areas in Muang district Source: Field survey
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Figure 8.30. Vulnerable commercial and tourism facilities Source: ADPC RECLAIM II, Municipality
8.7 Urban Planning