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

Swiss Humanitarian Aid 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

Swiss Humanitarian Aid

Flooded area November 2011 Chao Phraya River 160‘000 km 2 MQ: 883 m³/s Q=3‘ m³/s

Swiss Humanitarian Aid 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)

Swiss Humanitarian Aid ACTIVITIES Nov : 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

Swiss Humanitarian Aid Inner Bangkok Don Muang Airport Suwarnabhumi Airport Irrigation system around Bangkok

Swiss Humanitarian Aid

Big bags along Defense line

Swiss Humanitarian Aid

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)

Swiss Humanitarian Aid 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

Swiss Humanitarian Aid 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)

Swiss Humanitarian Aid 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

Swiss Humanitarian Aid 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

Swiss Humanitarian Aid 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

Swiss Humanitarian Aid Meeting with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Nov. 10, 2011

Swiss Humanitarian Aid Activities Thank you !