October: Disaster Month...
A flood occurred in Chiang Mai in the early part of the month. We are just fine and not affected much by it. I did learn some things, though. Recovery is just as worrisome as the disaster itself. News coverage makes it seem like the entire city has become Atlantis. Though, I must admit while returning from a comedy club the other night, I noticed flood damage more than a mile from the river. This is right in the ‘downtown’ area.
Videos of the month...
Click on the pics to watch the 7-minute cooking class or the 5-minute post flood report.
Natural Disaster
At Sacred Heart Cathedral, where Diane sings in the choir, they had a heap of trouble. Ahead of the flood waters, staff lifted the pews and placed them on white plastic chairs. I am sure they were thinking “the water will never get this high” Nope, they were wrong. Though it may be hard to tell, that water is knee high, I don’t know how much higher it went at the peak after this photo was taken.
The church only missed one Sunday. The staff and volunteers did an excellent job cleaning up. Note that there was a lesser flood just 10-days before. The trick they did with the piano was impressive. They wrapped each leg with a plastic bag. Though if the water was 3 inches higher that would have failed.
Shangri-La Hotel, which we drive by every Sunday, demonstrated exceptional preparedness. Located right in the flood-prone Changklan Road area about 3 miles east of us.
I am amazed that this is holding all that water. Water is heavy. And… those are very trusting people to the right of that temp-wall.
Chiang Mai Flood ‘24
It is an odd sensation to see pictures and videos of a natural disaster and say to yourself “hey, we live there.” We are a couple of miles out of the path of destruction, but we are still affected. We were told by the owner of our condo that the water has been turned off and we are running on the water stored on the roof tanks. This should last 3 or 4 days. Hopefully the system will have improved by then.
It is the job of news agencies to take pictures and video that is attention getting. Well, it would be easy here. As we have continued through normal life, I have seen plenty of newsworthy situations. Usually from the back of a Grab (ride share car).
The owner of our condo, Tonn, says: “I’ve been here for 24 years, and I have never seen it flooded to this extent.”
It did cross our minds to get on a plane and head south. Maybe to Hua Hin. We’ve been there before and could easily fit in and wait it out. Ultimately, we are staying and luckily, should not be greatly affected. I must admit, the idea of running out of fresh water does weigh on my mind, slightly. I was at 7-11 after my daily morning walk today and purchased their last 6-liter water thingy. They usually have 20 on hand. Hmmmm… telling.
“Gee Mr. Smith, I can see Godzilla across town from here, do you think we should maybe take the train and leave?”
“No, Tommy. In all the movies, Godzilla always grabs a train car and destroys it with everyone inside.”
Low on cat food, we went on a run to Central Festival Mall today. As we approached the overfilled Ping River, it was obvious that there was trouble. The highway we were on was a meter or two above the water line. The streets on either side of us were flooded for almost a mile. I saw a few boats on the roadway meant for cars. I also noticed a couple of military transport vehicles with soldiers helping out.
As I’m typing this up, I felt a need to grab beer for tonight and bread for tomorrow’s breakfast. It was very normal outside. It is 83 degrees and the sun is just setting with blue skies. My neighborhood was alive as normal. It’s just so normal. Not far away it is not. Also, it is not lost on me that in the Southeast of the United States they are also going through their own disaster. I am grateful and full of thoughts. Tonight is Indian food night for which I’ll walk to Accha Restaurant and order dinner then have a beer as I wait. Normal. Just so…normal.
Outro:
A good friend of mine asked if we were thinking of moving from Chiang Mai. ‘That’ did not even cross my mind. Even if this happened every year, but it does not. This was a uniquely heavy flood. It does make me think about watching the news back in the United States and thinking to myself “why do people live in Anywheretown, USA even though there are floods, tornadoes or hurricanes?” Well, I think I now have my answer. This is my home, and I can handle it.
If there is crime in your ‘hood, you double-lock the doors. If there are weather issues, you batten down the hatches. If you live next to a garage band, you learn how to play guitar. No doubt there are extreme situations, and my heart goes out to those who have suffered.
Thank you soooo much for reading and watching our blog!!!
After the storm on my daily morning walk in my ‘hood at 6:25am…