Death toll from historic Thailand flooding now over 500

Historic flooding in Thailand has now claimed more than 500 lives, and pools of polluted water are threatening many of Bangkok's 50 districts and its attendant subway system.

BANGKOK, THAILAND (Catholic Online) - Bangkok"s governor has already ordered the evacuation of 11 of that city's 50 districts and partial evacuations in seven more. While evacuations are not mandatory they show just how powerless the government is in the face of the worst flooding seen in Thailand in 50 years. Many people have declined the request to evacuate, and remain to protect their homes and businesses.

The flooding in Bangkok has created difficulties for aid workers, and prevented the delivery of aid to certain areas. In most parts of the country, pollution and bodies have accumulated and are contributing to disease.

Thailand has experienced some of the heaviest rainfall in decades which began in late July. According to government statistics, 506 people are now dead as a result. Nearly all the victims drowned, although some have apparently died from flood related electrocutions. All of the deaths have been outside Bangkok.

Floodwaters have begun receding in some provinces north of Bangkok, but much of the runoff has pooled around Bangkok, and has entirely submerged some of the cities outlying districts.

Last Friday, workers completed a 6 km floodwall made entirely of sandbags with the hope of diverting some of the water away from central Bangkok. Unfortunately, much of the water was already past, and there are no more barriers to prevent water from pushing south into the heart of the city.

Officials are concerned that floodwaters will eventually make their way into the underground subway system, closing and potentially damaging underground railway lines on which the city relies.

Health is also a major concern, as sanitation becomes nearly impossible in flooded areas.
Naturally, scientists blame global warming for the extremes in weather in Thailand and other places around the globe, however extreme weather such as this does periodically occur -- albeit rarely.

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