Covenant News
Thai Fish Farm Damaged by Severe Flooding
CHIANG MAI, THAILAND (August 22, 2005) - Damage is being assessed following torrential rains that flooded the fish hatchery supported by Covenant World Mission in an area located about an hour outside Chiang Mai.The flooding followed several days of heavy rain in northern Thailand, according to Covenant project missionaries Tim and Tammy Friesen in a special report to Covenant News Service.
"There have been mudslides in the mountain villages and many people have
had to leave their homes," the Friesens write. "Here in Chiang Mai, the
situation is also severe. The river has risen to the point that . . . it
was 10 meters above flood level. Many areas in town are completely
closed off. Businesses and homes are flooded - some have the dirty brown
river water completely filling the first floors of the buildings. Our
church was canceled Sunday evening, as it is right at the river, and our
school opening has been delayed for one week.
"Thankfully, we live in an area that has not been affected at all, but many of our friends have not been so fortunate. Yesterday, we drove to a neighborhood where some of our co-workers live. We waded through the knee-deep water, seeing a couple of large snakes swimming beside us, to help move furniture to higher parts of the house. Paul helped with sand-bagging another family's house and we tried to offer emotional support to those whose homes and cars were filling with the brown water."
A number of people working at one orphanage were stranded in the house, lacking adequate food and water, and will need to be evacuated, the Friesens note. "Unlike the United States, where an area is declared an emergency area and government help quickly comes in, most folks here will be left alone to figure out how to get to safety and how to begin getting cars running and plumbing fixed." Another concern involves large dams to the north of Chiang Mai that some fear could burst.
"There are many needs right now in northern Thailand, and we want to ask for your prayers for all involved," the Friesens write. "Please pray that people will be able to get to safety and that we will have wisdom is knowing how to help in our community."
(Editor's note: the accompanying photo shows residents assessing damage at the fish hatchery. The Friesens work in areas of mental health care and education.)
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