Heavy rain triggers flooding in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai, leading to resident evacuations.
Title: Flood-Ravaged Mae Sai: Health Concerns Loom as Waterborne Diseases Threaten Residents
The picturesque town of Mae Sai in Chiang Rai Province is battling severe flooding this weekend, following a night of relentless rain that saw the Sai River burst its banks. In a heart-wrenching scene, residents were forced to abandon their homes in the dead of night as the waters surged unpredictably.
The floodwaters submerged several local communities, including Tham Phajom Village, Sai Lom Joy Market, Noi Muang Dang Market, Muang Dang Community, and Mai Lung Khon Community, reaching depths of 0.5 to 1 metre in some areas. The rapid spread of the floodwaters left many residents scrambling to rescue their valuables under the cover of darkness.
The breach of the protective embankments, which had been temporarily reinforced with large sacks, exacerbated the problem, causing the floodwaters to swarm into adjacent communities. This area has been no stranger to floods, with last year's catastrophe still fresh in memories.
As of 6:00 AM, the water levels remained high, with the threat of further rises due to ongoing downpours in upstream Myanmar. Officials are working around the clock to monitor the situation and prevent a second wave of flooding, expected around 8:00 AM.
The military has been deployed to reinforce the embankments in Ko Sai Village to minimize flooding in the central Mae Sai area. Authorities, in collaboration with the military and various agencies, are also working tirelessly to clear debris from the bridge and evacuate residents. The First Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge has temporarily closed to facilitate the clearing operations.
Worayuth Khomboon, the district chief of Mae Sai, has issued a stern warning to residents and emergency workers, citing the toxic substances in the Sai River that pose a significant health risk. The flood response has proven particularly challenging due to the water contamination.
Amid these challenging circumstances, the authorities have set up four temporary shelters, located at the Mae Sai Municipality, Wat Phromwihan, Municipal School 1, and Mae Sai District Hall. Residents, however, express concerns about the pace of flood prevention efforts, particularly the lack of action on dredging drainage systems. They fear that the persistent mud and debris from mines in Myanmar will exacerbate the problem even after the waters recede.
TAGS- Mae Sai- Chiang Rai- Sai River- Myanmar- flooding- flash floods- heavy rains- Arsenic Exposure- Waterborne Diseases- Health Risks- Precautions
Insights- Arsenic Exposure: Arsenic is a known carcinogen that can cause various health issues, including skin lesions, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers. Prolonged exposure through contaminated water can lead to severe health problems.- Waterborne Diseases: Floodwaters contaminated with arsenic increase the risk of waterborne diseases, as the water quality is compromised.- Ingestion of Contaminated Food: Crops and fish exposed to arsenic-contaminated water may also pose health risks if consumed.- Precautions: It is crucial to avoid direct contact with floodwaters or contaminated mud, use safe water sources, properly dispose of contaminated materials, monitor health closely, stay informed about flood warnings, and embrace community alerts to take timely precautions.- Flood Prevention Efforts and Environmental Monitoring: Efforts are underway to reduce the impact of flooding and monitor arsenic levels, including the construction of flood barriers, installation of telemetry stations, regular water sampling by the Pollution Control Department (PCD), and timely responses.
In the ongoing flood crisis of Mae Sai, concerns about general-news such as waterborne diseases, caused by the contaminated Sai River, pose a significant health risk for residents. The floodwaters, which have submerged several local communities, also contain arsenic, a toxic substance known to cause various health issues, making the consumption of contaminated food from these areas potentially hazardous.
