More heavy rain for regions of Thailand

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More heavy rain for regions of Thailand  
Bangkok Post: 7 Aug 2010
Heavy rains prompt flash flood warning
North, upper northeast areas 'could be affected'

The Meteorological Department has warned people in some areas of the country to be on the alert for flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall.

The department said people should be on the alert for flash floods today and tomorrow in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Lampang, Lamphun, Phrae, Uttaradit, Loei, Nong Khai and Nakhon Phanom.

An active monsoon trough hangs over North and upper northeastern Thailand and there is a strong southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand.

Isolated heavy to prolonged, heavy rainfall is likely over the country, the department said in a message on its website tmd.go.th yesterday.

The monsoon trough will likely shift today and tomorrow to central and eastern Thailand.

Somchai Baimuang, the Meteorological Department's deputy chief, said rainfall this month and next would be slightly higher than average.

"The rainy season is expected to end around mid-October, which should be good for areas affected by water shortages," said Mr Somchai.

Meanwhile, the Department of Mineral Resources warned people in landslide-prone areas, including in Phayao, Phrae, and Nan, to be on guard.

Phayao's Chiang Kham and Pong districts and Nan's Tha Wang Pha and Bo Klue districts are among the high-risk areas due to heavy rains.

A 200-year-old tamarind tree, felled by a powerful windstorm on Thursday night, landed on an ancient Buddhist temple in Ayutthaya's Maha Rat distirct. The tree partially damaged the roof and front area of a main chapel of Wat Bote, built during the Ayutthaya period.

Damage is estimated at 2 million baht.

Phra Payung Jittapaolo, a monk at the temple, said the tree had been on the compound for 200 years.

Scores of destroyed houses and fallen trees were also reported in the area.

In Phayao, heavy overnight rains caused the Bong River in Phu Sang district to overflow and flood houses in several villages. The flooding was the first the district had seen in 15 years, said Sompon Puangpuak, mayor of tambon Sob Bong municipality.

The water level was at its highest in Moo 2 and 3, rising to about 30-50cm.

People in flood-prone areas had to move their assets to higher ground.

Officials were assessing the needs of flood-affected people, Mr Sompon said.

The downpour in Phayao's Phu Sang district reportedly started on Thursday night and continued until yesterday.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/189882/heavy-rains-prompt-flash-flood-warning

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Heavy rain, floods hit regions of Thailand 
: 13 Aug 2010
Torrential rain, floods hit several parts of Thailand
วันศุกร์ ที่ 13 ส.ค. 2553

BANGKOK, August 13 – Flooding triggered by heavy rainfall hit several parts of the country during the long holiday weekend as the meteorological department
warns of possible flash flood in the northern and eastern provinces.

The second round of flood triggered forest torrent from Suthep Mountain in the northern province of Chiang Mai, causing swollen waterways and flooding roads including Chotetana road in front of the Chiang Mai government center.

Traffic has been disrupted as floodwaters are as deep as one metre in some areas.

Flash flood runoff from Doi Suthep national park flowed into a village in Hang Dong district. Officials helped villagers evacuate and move their belongings to higher ground.

In the northern province of Phichit, guards take turns to keep watch for flash floods around the clock after heavy rainfall in the Phetchabun mountain range caused large-scale runoff in many areas. Local authorities checked the rapidly rising water level in canals taking water from the mountain range.

Local residents were warned to be alert and to keep monitoring the water situation closely.

In the southern province of Ranong, nonstop overnight rain triggered landslides. Mud, rocks and trees were dragged down, blocking a major road to Ranong’s provincial seat.

In the upper southern province of Prachuap Khiri Khan, a bus carrying 43 soldiers from the southern border provinces to Surasri military camp in Kanchanaburi swerved and hit a roadside electric power pole. The accident occurred during heavy rain.

Seven soldiers were injured with two of them in critical condition.

The meteorological department reported a strong southwest monsoon prevailing over the Andaman Sea, the Gulf of Thailand, and the Thai mainland, causing causes torrential rain and isolated heavy falls over the country.

Residents of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Phare, Uttaradit, Tak, Phetchabun, Loei, Chanthaburi and Trat are warned of flash floods during the weekend.

Tourists in Khao Khitchakut National Park in the eastern province of Chantaburi are warned of flash floods after several waterfalls are murky and flow swiftly. If the water level rises or there are indications of a flood hazard, the authorities will inform tourists to evacuate the area immediately. (MCOT online news)

[isanbirder]

And I'm off to Chiangmai next week!