The 2011 monsoon season in Thailand has brought the worst flooding in five decades to over a third of the country. As the season has progressed, the floodwaters have grown and spread due to a near 40% increase in rainfall, impacting some of its most populated areas such as the capital, Bangkok. Over 500 deaths have been reported across the country and as floodwaters continue to inundate its most populated regions, the massive relief effort has been made even worse by having the economic hubs of the country threatened to slow or completely shut down.
The flooding began in provinces north of the capital in late July, which sustained long enough that some citizens were forced to live in the upper levels of their houses for two months. This prolonged flood had left behind a huge clean up effort, but has at least for now removed fears of waterborne disease in the north. Meanwhile, in Bangkok, 12 of the 50 districts have been evacuated as flood waters as high as chest height begin to invade the city centre. The fears of disease spreading in highly populated areas have arrived here in step with the murky, polluted waters which threaten to spark further complications. Transportation infrastructure, such as the subway and main thoroughfares, has also been affected.
Some preventative measures including the distribution of decontaminant balls filled with microorganisms have been initiated in the city. The effectiveness of these methods, as well as the potential false sense of security it brings, has been subject to question. Thai authorities have cited the mass of the water as a significant challenge. The length of time that the flood persists increases the strain on people’s resources. They are, however, taking measures to monitor any potential outbreaks and attempt to address them before they make their mark on the mortality of the flood.
The flood has had effects not only within Thailand. As one of the major exporters of the world’s hard disk drive (HDD) supply, the global computer markets have been affected. One manufacturer, owned by Western Digital, produces one-quarter of the global supply of “sliders”, which are a key component in HDDs. Reports of up to a 10% increase in the cost of HDDs have been forecast as the global supply tries to compensate for these losses. Many other sectors have also been affected by the flooding in some of Thailand’s most industrialized regions.
This impact serves as a reminder, in parallel with the Japanese tsunami, that not only is the world’s supply chain very interdependent but also that countries such as Thailand may often be overlooked in the role they play in the industrialized world. Our consumables come from all corners of the earth. This is a testament to the wonder of globalization, for better or worse, that we often fail to recognize. The effects that nature can have on our human systems is highlighted by crises such as these floods. Not only is there the tragedy of the loss of life, which should be in no way ignored, but also resonating effects in the global network. Next time you boot up a laptop or grab an apple at the grocery store, take a moment to stop and think of the complex network our world has developed to bring that item to you.
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