SONGKHLA, THAILAND – As floodwaters swamped much of Songkhla, one house remained dry after its owner erected a makeshift barrier in just an hour.
Warnings Prompt Rapid Action
Local village chief Wicharit Leelakorn said it all began when he took weather alerts from the Meteorological Department seriously. When the rain started, he noticed the water was rising faster than ever before and decided to act immediately. In a snap decision, he drove out to buy a generator, tarpaulins and metal poles.
One-Hour Flood Shield Around the House
Back in his neighborhood, he and his partner assembled a protective system in just 60 minutes. When the flood wave hit, his home remained dry, the only house in the entire settlement to stay above the water. His success turned the building into a conspicuous island amid the floods in Songkhla.
Generator and Tarpaulin Form the Core System
The heart of the setup was a powerful generator that kept his existing water pumps from his fish farm running.
“Without electricity, I would not have been able to operate the water pumps,”
said Wicharit, who already owned several units. A heavy tarpaulin was stretched with metal poles in front of the entrance and fixed to the fence to withstand the water pressure.
Simple Measures to Block Backflow
To stop water from flowing back into the building, he blocked drainage pipes with cloth and stones. This basic measure, he said, proved simple but effective in holding off the flood. The improvised system, built from common materials, endured throughout the high water.
YouTube Videos as Lifesaving Inspiration
The idea for the structure came from YouTube clips showing international flood-protection methods. He said he studied these approaches and adapted them to his own situation and available equipment.
“The result exceeded all my expectations,”
said Wicharit, adding that if he had installed the system before the first flood wave, his house would have stayed completely dry.
Neighbourhood Lifeline During Power Cuts
As the only building in the area without a power outage, his house became a lifeline for neighbours. More than 20 households came to charge mobile phones and power banks using his generator.
“I wanted to help everyone during the crisis,”
said Wicharit, who offered free electricity and kept his doors open as village head.
Call for Preparedness and Self-Reliance
His experience led him to urge others to prepare for disasters and rely less on overstretched authorities.
“Help yourselves as much as you can!”
said Wicharit, arguing that flood protection is not difficult if people get ready in advance. He stressed that residents should never ignore evacuation warnings and must leave immediately when told to do so, noting that even a so‑called “miracle house” is less important than personal safety.