Too much going on in the world to notice the disaster happening in Thailand.

[Atman]

Just heard from my sister who lives on Koh Samui; worst flooding in 30 years, both airports and even ferry service are closed, leaving thousands stranded. Nine dead so far. It's well past monsoon season, but the rains never stopped. It's been raining practically 24 hours a day for weeks. Send some dry thoughts, please!

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/229211/rising-waters-down-south

(edited to add link)

[Atman]

1. Self kick, for my sister

:kick:

[Chris_Texas]

2. up

[magdalena]

3. I'll kick this for my sister too!

My sister, aunt, cousins live down south by Songkhla. About a month ago the flooding was so bad down there they had to evacuate their homes and for a couple weeks lived on the higher stories of the factory where my sister works. The waters have since receded enough where they could move back home, but they keep telling me the rain still hasn't stopped and they're worried about flooding again.

Prayers with your sister and the people affected by this.

[cordelia]

4. K & R

[SoCalDem]

5. Wow.. that's terrible.. I wish them all dry weather

Is there still deforestation going on there? That lush jungle they have (used to have?) all over usually soaks up excess moisture like a sponge..

found this older article...:

May 22nd, 2007
Solution to Samui flooding discussed

Floodings are frequent on Samui... Suratthani deputy governor Vinyu Tongsakul said that deforestation is the main cause of flooding on Koh Samui. He said this after a meeting of provincial and municipality officials to solve flooding in some areas of the island.

The meeting concluded that the solution for floods is the prevention of forest denudation, especially where the water sources are located. The Forest Department had surveyed the mountain and forest areas on the island before declaring 23 546 rai of mountain land as protected forest zone. This means that no forest encroachment or land issuance of title deed for both possession and ownership rights are allowed.

The Land Department is specifically delegated to issue land title deeds according to rules to prevent more land scandals, which had happened before. "I asked the Koh Samui municipality to seriously tackle this issue by putting strict measures before building-project permits granted. All matters related to building must be processed according to the town-planning regulations.

I noticed that many constructions barricade the natural drainage system and these have destroyed the tropical island look of Samui", Vinyu said. Vinyu said that Bt87 million had been allotted to improve the drainage system and upgrading of four bridges.

[Atman]

7. I was there April before last...it didn't look deforested.

It was pretty lush, in fact, although I admit that we didn't take the trip into the rain forest. But a lot of the island is kind of like LA, houses perched on crazy cliff sides. There was a lot of development, but that's pretty much stopped due to the economy, just like everywhere else.

Fortunately, my sister lives on a hill, not a cliff, in Baan Bang Makham...just a km down the road from her old house which was right on the water, and the driveway flooded badly even during a plain ol' afternoon thunderstorm. The big concern, almost as bad as the water in the streets, is landslides. Those houses could come tumbling down the cliffs and take out villagers beneath them. There are lots of pics of Samui online. It's pretty horrible now. Waist-deep water everywhere. No way off the island.

[SoCalDem]

8. Yikes... housing on hillsides is dangerous when it pours like that

We have several houses out here that are on the verge of sliding off hillsides & we have not had nearly as much rain..

I'm glad to hear that her island is still lush.. It;s heartbreaking to see beautiful places sacrificed to lumber companies & strip malls..

[MineralMan]

6. I hope this doesn't get worse. Floods are terrible.

But you're right. Attention is focused elsewhere around the world. Thanks for letting us know about this.