Most provinces warned of heavy rain, floods, landslides

Many areas in Na Kae district of Nakhon Phanom are flooded as Nam Kam River bursts its banks. (Photo by Pattanapong Sripiachai)

Fifty-nine of the country's 77 provinces have been warned to brace for floods, burst riverbanks, runoff and landslides as heavy rains are expected in upper Thailand on July 30-31.

Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation chief Chayaphol Thitisak said on Monday that heavy downpours recently hit several provinces in the North, the Northeast and the Central Plains. This might trigger overflowing, flooding and landslides in at-risk areas.

He ordered provincial disaster prevention and mitigation offices in 59 provinces across the country to brace for the natural disaster.

The provinces include 17 in the North (Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Phrae, Nan, Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Tak, Phitsanulok, Phichit, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan and Uthai Thani), all 20 provinces in the Northeast, eight in the Central region (Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat), and all 14 provinces in the South, said Mr Chayaphol.

The Meteorological Department on Monday warned that outbreaks of continuous rain and isolated heavy downpours are forecast in the North, the Northeast, the Central, the East and the South on July 30-31. People living in at-risk areas were told to watch for flash floods.

In its latest weather warning, the department said that lower pressure is covering Tonkia Bay and upper Vietnam while the strong southwest monsoon prevails over the Andaman Sea, the South and the Gulf of Thailand.

Strong winds and high waves of 2-4 metres are expected in the Andaman Sea and 2-3 metres high in the upper Gulf. All ships should proceed with caution, while small boats should remain ashore.

People living along the coast of the western South and the East should beware of strong winds during this period.

Residents in Sakon Nakhon province's Phon Na Kaeo district rely on a boat for transportation as many areas are inundated. (Photo by Pratuan Kajonvuthinun)

In Kalasin, floodwaters in several areas in Khao Wong and Na Khu districts rose by 30cm on Monday.

Excessive water runoff from Huay Yang stream in Sakon Nakhon coupled with continuous heavy downpours caused rising floodwaters in Khao Wong.

Lam Phayang reservoir and streams in Kalasin overflowed on Monday, sending a huge volume of water to flood farmland in Khao Wong and Na Khu districts.

Almost 2,000 rai of agricultural areas were inundated.

Kalasin governor Kaisorn Kongchalard said he has ordered all districts to closely monitor the situation at water sources in their areas and survey areas prone to flooding.

In Nakhon Phanom, residents of Na Kae district were asked to move their belongings and animals to higher ground as Nam Kam River, which receives water from Nong Han Lake, burst its banks.

Agricultural areas at Pak Bang village in tambon Piman of Na Kae district and 10 houses near the river were inundated. Some 200 houses would be at risk if rain did not stop.

Bancha Srichaluang, chairman of the tambon administration organisation in Piman, said he had ordered local leaders in all villages to warn local residents to move their belongings and animals to higher areas as the overflow from Nam Kam River might engulf their land.

In Sakon Nakhon, more than 7,300 rai of agricultural areas in several districts in this province were inundated due to heavy rain.

Suchote Kanchanakul, caretaker chief of Phon Na Kaeo district, said 50 houses in two villages in Phon Na Kaew district remained flooded.