Tropical Storm Noch-Ten

by Derrick Cruise
(Kokomo, Indiana, United States)

After leaving a path of destruction throughout the Philippines, China, and Vietnam, Tropical Storm Nock-Ten prompted mass evacuations in late July as it neared the northern part of Thailand.

Nock-Ten would have a devastating on the once drought ridden country. Nearly 20 people were killed in Thailand's flood-stricken northern regions, according to Thailand’s Department of Disaster Mitigation and Protection.

Although it’s clear the storm has hit Thailand hard, the long-term effects remain unclear as many villages throughout the northern areas remain cut off from the rest of the county.

Countless Thai residents remain without relief as those in the primitive villages of the northern regions were unable to receive help through the use of modern conveniences such as medical alarms.

The flooding continues to affect the country’s inhabitants as 20 northern and northeastern provinces have been designated flood disaster zones. In the northern province of Phichit, makeshift flood prevention dykes built with sandbags and earth collapsed, which has caused floodwaters to spread throughout much of the Sam Ngam district and several other villages, affecting nearly 500 dwellings.

Large pumps are currently being used to drain water from the affected flood zones, but the district chief said equipment is not available to certain areas as the flood zones are extensive. Flood waters have not yet been receded in 16 of the 20 flood stricken provinces of northern Thailand.

Nock- Ten, named after a Laotian bird, has left twelve Thai residents injured and four missing as a result of the ensuing floods and mudslides caused by the storm, which was downgraded to a depression late last week.

The storm has affected more than 1 million Thai residents and has killed roughly 100 people during its week long path through eastern Asia.

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