Rainy season provinces put on flood alert after storms
Rainy season provinces put on flood alert after storms
Nan and Uttaradit already inundated as forecast warns of heavy rains
The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has issued a warning of possible flooding after heavy downpours were forecast to continue until mid November. Saksit Tridech, permanent secretary to the ministry, said yesterday that the Water Resources Department had monitored flooding situations in many areas, especially the already inundated provinces of Nan and Uttaradit.
With heavy rainfall predicted until mid November, he cited satellite and aerial images as well as field data that Mae Hong Son, Uttaradit, Nan, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Lampang, Phrae and Lamphun were at risk of flooding.
Others included Ubon Ratchathani, Loei, Nong Khai, Si Sa Ket, Udon Thani, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phetchaburi, Ratchaburi, Chanthaburi, Trat, Rayong, Sa Kaew, Chon Buri, Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Sawan, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Angthong, and Ayutthaya.
The department also warned of possible landslides - especially in Nan, which has already seen 124 millimetres of rain - to avoid loss of life and property, he said.
Water Resources Department deputy director general Thanes Dawasuwan said tropical storm Kummuri had been downgraded but still caused heavy rains in many areas of the country. He reported that accumulated rainfall in Thailand from January 1 to August 7 totalled approximately 837.77mm, about 25mm less than last year.
He said that levels of the Mae Khong River, Lam Plai Mas River and Mae Klong River were high while the Sri Nakarin Dam was at 81 per cent capacity and the Prasae Dam at 83 per cent.
In Chiang Rai, the Khong River has burst its banks and submerged three villages. Chiang Saen district was under one metre of water and 100 rai of farmland, including cornāļfields ready for harvesting, had been damaged. Ban Sob Kok with 105 homes and 400 residents was hardest hit.
Riverside residents have been evacuated to stay with relatives living on higher ground, while officials have arranged supplies of food and drinking water as well as sandbags for people to build barriers to try and protect their homes from being inundated by floodwater.
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Overflowing Mekong River ravages northern, northeastern Thailand
MUKDAHAN: — Several of Thailand’s northern and northeastern provinces along the Mekong River are now badly hit by water flooding as heavy rains continue in the two regions, causing damage to homes and farmsteads.
Three districts in the northeastern province of Mukdahan are now submerged as the water level in the river rose to 12.6 metres, overflowing the banks and affecting at least 50 homes with at least partial submersion.
Fishponds and croplands were also badly affected. More than 100 relief workers flat-bottomed boats moved to help affected flood victims and sandbagged the banks of a canal to prevent floodwaters from reaching the town’s commercial centre.
In Nong Khai province bordering Laos, many roads and structures were partially under water after heavy rains lashed the area Thursday night, damaging at least 400 homes in Pak Khat district.
An initial survey found that about 128,180 people were affected by flood in Nakhon Phanom, traffic on several hundred roads was disrupted, seven dikes were damaged, some 184,430 rai of farmland went under water over 1,200 commercial fishponds were affected. Damage has been estimated at Bt193.8 million.
Meanwhile, Public Health Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul said in Bangkok that he had ordered health officials in Thailand’s northernmost province of Chiang Rai, as well as the northeastern provinces of Nong Khai and Nakhon Phanom to assist flood victims on a daily basis.
Thirty thousand sets of medicine were sent Friday to assist victims in the three provinces. They are expected to reach there early Saturday.
Mobile medical units, according to Mr. Chavarat, found that more than 3,600 flood victims were suffering from severe cold and skin diseases.
The public was also advised to consume clean drinking water as diarrhea is usually found during the flood season.