Rapid Assessment for Resilient Recovery and ... - GFDRR

throughout the assessment. Among the most critical is the assumption that the percentage
of inundated built-up areas in the province is the same with the percentage of damaged
houses. In reality the built-up areas may be of various densities and land uses other than
residential 107 .
For housing, the provinces of Nakhon Sawan and Phitsanulok were selected as sample
regions to verify the preliminary damage and loss data, and discuss the viability of reconstruction
approaches with counterparts. In both provinces, the Rapid Assessment team
carried out field visits to observe damage to house structures, utilities and household assets,
and supported by interviews with individuals and community groups.
Result of the Estimates
Overall, the Rapid Assessment team found significant damage at the household level,
especially concerning household property. Relatively less damage was seen concerning
the physical structure of the houses. This was quite consistent with people’s statements
about their loss of furniture and appliances, while there was less concern about the houses
themselves. After damage to household goods, losses related to evacuation became the
second largest cost in the housing sector (as can be seen in Table 53 below), due to the
prolonged period of evacuation 108 .
Damage
It is estimated that 1.96 million houses were affected, about 19,000 of which were totally
damaged. In most of the areas, especially in the rural areas in the focus regions, annual
flooding appears to be a familiar phenomenon to which the people have well adapted
themselves. For two generations the people have developed the ability to evacuate things
quickly upstairs and the knowledge of certain locations/areas that will stay dry. The wide
areas of rice fields served by ample irrigation have benefitted from the streams, and
throughout the years, farmers have also adapted the timing of their crops to the flood
cycle. However, this time it was beyond anticipation and experience. In most areas of
Bangkok, flooding has not been an issue for a long time, during which many developments
occurred (industries, waterfront restaurants, housing). Part of the downtown area of urban
Nakhon Sawan was also protected by dikes, while other areas in urban Nakhon Sawan
(among others parts of the Choosing district) were flooded up to about 1.5 meters.
Much of development has not followed building codes or official plans, which has put
many functions in vulnerable areas – including housing – and thereby greatly added to the
severity of impacts from this disaster. Local government agencies stated their desire to
rectify these conditions not only by dikes but also by possible resettlement. However, local
agencies are hesitant about relocation of these settlements and want to avoid eviction,
especially because many communities have been there for generations. Resettlement may
be reconsidered, if adequate alternative sites are available for resettlement.
107 The percentage of inundated built-up areas was calculated from satellite photos made over four months. In case the
percentage of inundated areas in the built-up areas is predominantly residential instead of other land uses (for instance
industrial) then the percentage of flooded areas will be too low for the number of flooded houses. If mostly other land uses
are under water instead of housing, then this number is too high for housing. Also, the analysis cannot yet specifically pick
out buildings from other non-vegetation or paved areas, neither the depth of water.
108 During evacuation many families were also out of work, meaning most were dependent on subsistence support (among
others with service from public kitchens and survival bags). Household goods do not include working capital; these are
covered by the Livelihoods and Employment sector.
THAI FLOOD 2011 RAPID ASSESSMENT FOR RESILIENT RECOVERY AND RECONSTRUCTION PLANNING
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