The sea gypsies of Koh Lipe, a tourist island in the Andaman Sea, have had a close relationship with water all their lives. Water for them is intrinsic and very much tied to the phases of the moon. In times of high tide or heavy monsoon, water will cover parts of their land, but these seafarers have learned to cope, and they even commute on boats. Rising water levels have never been a major concern for these people, at least until recently.
Indeed, the Lipe community has been shocked by the severe flooding that hit the island late last month. Water levels were as high as 50 centimetres, and in some low-lying parts, way above head height. After almost a month of severe flooding, state officials were forced into emergency rescue measures.
However, the serious flooding on the famous island has nothing to do with rising sea levels, nor is it the wrath of Mother of Nature disguised in the form of climate change. In this case, the problem is caused by a lack of drainage to carry away rainwater after heavy storms. Natural waterways and canals have been filled up and blocked by man-made constructions -- resorts and sea walls.
Anchalee Kongrut writes about the environment in the Life section, Bangkok Post.
Like many tourist places, Koh Lipe has fallen victim to the perils of unchecked development -- land encroachment, land grabs and environmental issues resulting from garbage and wastewater. Several construction projects were made without taking the natural habitat or topography into account. A wall has been built along the beach, preventing the local community from fishing in the sea. Wetlands on the island have been encroached upon and partially turned into commercial space.
Looking at the bigger picture, the Lipe flood reflects the reality of flooding in Thailand. Aside from increasingly harsh weather, our floods are man-made problems. Indeed, in January the Royal Irrigation Department revealed 348 construction projects in the southern provinces, among them 174 in flood-prone Nakhon Si Thammarat, that hinder proper drainage in the region. Among these structures are walls, bridges, roads, buildings and even public buildings. Worse still, a survey by the Royal Irrigation Department found that official town planning regulations in Thailand do not include provision for the adequate drainage of flood water.
One of many causes of the epic flood in 2011 were structures, such as highways in Ang Thong and Ayutthaya, which impeded natural drainage channels. This was in addition to land developments, such as housing estates, which led to the same devastating consequences. Closer to Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi airport is built on swamp land -- an area which would have been part of nature's solution to the need for somewhere for excess water to go.
At this point, you might be wondering what happened to the seafarers of Koh Lipe who have been suffering from floods for over a month now. These sea gypsy villagers have a strong and active community, forged from battles won against land-grabbing businesses and local mafiosi. Last week, these villagers held a meeting with their local administration and demanded prompt assistance. And after this immediate aid, they demanded new town planning and construction regulations be drawn up with the issue of floods in mind.
As I sigh with relief for the Lipe community, my worries now turn to the notorious Chao Phraya River Promenade -- a plan to build a huge walkway and dyke along a river that is like the main artery of our nation.
Many columnists in this newspaper have written about this project. Some oppose it entirely, while others embrace the economic benefits and scenic view the promenade will bring. Debate goes on and people will believe what they choose to. After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
But one aspect which is hardly touched upon is the effect of the structure on flood drainage. The design calls for the building of a wall along the river to prevent water from the river spilling inland. But how can the flood water from inland flow back into the Chao Phraya River when the next mass deluge occurs? (Please show me mercy by not answering that the solution is to install water pumps along the river!).
Indeed, hydrologists and ecologists have raised a big question mark over the effects of the project on flood drainage. Without taking topography and science into consideration, we are turning Bangkok into a sink without a plughole.
Sadly, unlike the ecologically wise island seafarers of Lipe, we probably won't realise what we are doing to ourselves until we're already underwater!
