Utility services Industrialcommercial sector.

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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 131 Figure 8.28. Utilities in Muang district Source: Municipality, Field survey 132

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 133 Figure 8.30. Vulnerable commercial and tourism facilities Source: ADPC RECLAIM II, Municipality

8.7 Urban Planning