Lessons learned and information technology roles in Thailand floods 2011

July-November 2011, Central Plain of Thailand suffered from the serious flooding started from July in the northern area and the flood went downward to middle area and near Bangkok area in September and October. It was the first time that flood water reached the inner city of Bangkok and caused flash flood to many main industrial estates in the suburb of Bangkok. The damages of this flooding was estimated to be more than ten times of the previous major past flooding especially to the industrial sector and in the ranking number four of disaster damage in the world. During the flood event, the university had provided humanitarian assistances to the communities surrounding Bangkok in various forms including water information services. The flood reporting system consisted of two programs, i.e., flood reporting and flood planning. The system via social media helped informing the flood status from each individuals to share real time flood information through the system and also provided the basic information of ground level and water level from the nearby hydrological stations for flood preparation and rescue planning to the people. The information technology helped to convey such the information and massages in real time basis and help people to plan and prepare for flood fighting more efficient. In the Government's flood future plan, the flood information system was proposed to be an important element for flood warning and communication to communities and is included in both short and long term flood prevention measures. It is concluded that with the flood information system, people in the flood prone area can be better prepared for their fighting/rescue operations to save their lives and assets. Besides, the water information via telecommunication technology with good communication can better public flood operation of both public and personnel levels.