Drain expectations: Water woes in Thailand get fast-tracked fix

Government officials are pulling out all the stops to accelerate water drainage in the flood-stricken northeastern provinces of Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, and Bung Kan, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced.

The 58 year old deputy PM emphasised that swift action in draining water into the Mekong River could dramatically lessen the flood impacts compared to the northern regions, where devastation has been severe due to forest runoff and mudslides.

Flooding in these northeastern provinces has been compounded by water flowing down from the north and the release of water from upstream dams. In Nong Khai, the water levels soared to 13.8 metres yesterday morning—the highest in 16 years. The municipal office on Prachak Silpakhom Road found itself submerged, and galling waves on Saturday night breached the flood barrier at Phra That Lanong.

Sri Chiang Mai Hospital in Nong Khai has been forced to only accept emergency cases because of the flooding. Bus services between Nong Khai and Laos’ Vientiane have been brought to a screeching halt, and local officials have opened 44 shelters to assist flood victims.

Over in Nakhon Phanom, vendors at the underground level of the Phaya Si Sattanakharat tourist site were given their marching orders as the Mekong River’s water level is expected to rise today. Yesterday, September 15, the level hit 11.5 metres, just a mere 50 centimetres below the danger line. While the municipal area is still safe, heavy rains could tip the scales, leading to floods if water drainage falters.

Meanwhile, in Bung Kan, the water level stabilised at 13.4 metres yesterday morning, sparking hopes of normalcy if rain continues to hold off. In Loei’s Pak Chom district, water levels have also stabilised and are expected to recede provided no additional water gets released from a dam in Laos.

The situation in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district is starting to improve, although many areas remain scenes of chaos. The clean-up operation is being hampered by thick mud left behind by the floods, with residents returning home to find mud nearly reaching their ceilings and their belongings smothered in debris.

Local officials reported that the floods and mudslides in Chiang Rai from September 9 to yesterday have resulted in 10 fatalities, and two injuries, and wreaked havoc across 153 villages and 52 communities in nine districts.

Government officials are doubling down, working feverishly to enhance water drainage and provide vital support to the beleaguered communities.