Severe flooding in North after heavy downpours

– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community

PHUKET: Many areas in several provinces have flooded after days of heavy rain, especially in Chiang Mai’s Muang district where high flood waters inundated residential areas overnight.

The Kard Kom community in Muang district has experienced one of its highest flood levels following heavy rain that started on Saturday afternoon.

Many residents have complained about the regular flooding there and have pleaded for urgent dredging of underground pipes and canals to get rid of water weeds.

The Mae Sa and Mok Fa waterfalls were briefly declared off-limits, said the chief of Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Amphorn Parnmongkhol, while the Tad Mok waterfall remained closed as of press time yesterday.

Forest rangers have been stationed at the Huay Kaew waterfall around the clock to keep visitors on a flood alert.

Flash flood warnings have been issued in Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet and Phitsanulok.

Heavy rain is expected in the bulk of these provinces from yesterday until Saturday.

Up to 30 homes in Phichit’s Thab Khlo district have been flooded, with 40cm the highest water level, after nearby rivers rose from heavy rain. Urgent drainage work is underway in the district while flood warnings have been issued in flood-prone areas.

In Uttaradit, flood waters travelling from Sukhothai submerged 20 homes in Laplae district, with one metre the highest water level, damaging farm tractors, fertiliser and rice seedlings.

Ban Huay Khamin School’s buildings, includings its library and a stadium, were flooded and it may be closed today if rain continues and the water does not subside.

In Chaiyaphum in the Northeast, more than 1,000 rai of cassava plantations in Nong Bua Raew district were submerged and two villages are set for possible evacuation. An urgent premature harvest of the crop was underway there.

A kamnan, Mahant Chartchana, warned locals of flash flood in tambon Khok Sa-ard, in the district with the same name in Chaiyaphum, if the Shi River and Chiang Tha creek overflow.

Also in the Northeast, Nakhon Ratchasima municipality faces an average 30cm of flood water in vast areas. Officials were preparing food provisions and offering assistance at locations where the flood level had reached 50 cm.

A relief centre has been set up in the province’s Muang district to provide assistance and shelter while water pumps had been installed to handle drainage.

— Phuket Gazette Editors