Environmental, Economic, Social and Health Impacts from the Flood Situation in Kham Riang Sub-district, Kantharawichai District, Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand in 2022

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study the environmental, economic, social and health impacts of the flood situation in Kham Riang sub-district, Kantharawichai district, Maha Sarakham province. The sample used in the study were 140 villagers, 10 villagers per village, 14 villages of affected by environmental, economic, social and health impacts of the flood situation in Kham Riang sub-district, Kantharawichai district, Maha Sarakham province, from purposive sampling. The tools used in the study were: 1) interview form for the impact of the flood situation, 2) questionnaire on the impact of the flood situation. Qualitative data were analyed as descriptive. The results of the study showed that :1) Environmental impact from the flood situation, it was found that most of them were damaged in agriculture, for example, the flooding of rice fields and vegetable gardens, resulting in the lack of agricultural products for villagers and lack of income from agriculture. 2) The economic impact from the flood situation was found to affect agricultural crops and made the villagers lose income from their work due to inability to travel to work. And after the flood disaster disappeared must borrow debt borrowing money to repair the house which such villagers has been doing agriculture for the most part by damage to the plantation will fall at 1,750 baht per rai. There were some families relying on agriculture as their main occupation, the next occupation is trading. There are no products to be sold and do not have money to go buy things to resell. 3) Social impact from the flood situation, it was found that most of them were damaged in housing such as doors, windows, home appliances that were broken. The road has been damaged by water erosion, making traffic difficult for a long time, having to use a boat instead of a car to travel. Agricultural crops are damaged, especially the rice fields that were mostly damaged.4) Health impact from the flood situation, it was found that most of them had water allergies, such as biting feet. The cause of water bites is caused by irritation of the skin. Due to wetness and exposure to dirt, various chemicals in flooded areas can cause eczema. The skin looks peeling, especially at the niche of the toes which has a red rash, burning, itching, including causing stress and anxiety in the lives of the villagers in everyday life.