Floods in Buriram, northeast Thailand

Two days of continuous heavy rainfall has caused “the worst floods in 10 years” in parts of Buriram province, northeast Thailand. Heavy rainfall during the early hours of yesterday morning caused flash flooding in Ban Dan district while most people were sleeping. Around 30 houses and restaurants, as well as village roads and agricultural land, have been damaged in the floods. Chaiyaphum province in northeast Thailand is also experiencing heavy rains and flash flooding this week.

Residents of more than 30 houses in Ban Dan district in Buriram were woken up by water flooding into their homes in the middle of the night. People were forced to leave their belongings behind as they escaped, causing damage to electrical appliances, wardrobes, mattresses, and other supplies.

The water level reached 30 – 40 centimetres high on many roads in Ban Dan district, blocking the only entrances and exits to many villages by car.

The village chief’s wife Pitchaphon Pimpimai said she was unable to prepare as her house suddenly flooded in the middle of the night. She said that the water caused significant damage to her house and belongings, such as appliances, cabinets, beds, food, and fertiliser for her sugarcane fields.

Mayor of Ban Dan district Weerawat Sathi Poonphon said that agencies rushed to survey the damage from the flood and mobilize a plan to reduce the water level. The survey found that damage was caused to more than 30 houses and restaurants, Ban Dan Police Station, and hundreds of rai of agricultural land. Many roads in the area were flooded and impossible to drive through.

Officials found blockages in the district’s drainage system and have started to remove the mud and weeds blocking the drains. Since removing some of the blockages, the water level has started to decrease.

Now that the drainage system is being fixed, the water level is expected to be completely gone by today or tomorrow. If heavy rainfall like this happens again, the water level should drain completely in 1 – 2 days, said the mayor.

The northeastern province of Chaiyaphum is also experiencing heavy rains and flash flooding this week. On Monday, busy roads in front of Chaiyaphum Hospital flooded significantly and residents were warned against driving small cars on the roads.

The Thai Meteorological Department warns that heavy rainfall and flash flooding is expected to continue in northeast Thailand today and tomorrow, July 13 and July 14.

SOURCE: KhaoSod