Northeast gets flood warning

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Northeast gets flood warning
Heavy rains on the way, risk seen for 5 provinces
Published: 14/08/2010 at 12:00 AM
Bangkok Post: Newspaper section: News

People in low-lying areas, particularly at the foot of mountains, in five provinces in the lower Northeast have been warned of possible flash floods and forest run-off over the next few days.

The southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand coupled with easterly winds could trigger heavy downpours in the region, said Kriangsak Ket-in, senior meteorological officer for the lower Northeast.

He said people in areas along foothills near waterways and in other low-lying areas in Nakhon Ratchasima, Surin, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen and Ubon Ratchathani should brace for flooding.

An irrigation official said heavy downpours starting in July had helped fill four major reservoirs in Nakhon Ratchasima: Lam Takhong in Sikhiu district; Lam Phraploeng in Pak Thong Chai district; and Lam Sae and Lam Mun Bon in Khon Buri district.

Following the rains, officials at Lam Takhong, Lam Phraploeng and Lam Sae reservoirs were able to release water for agricultural use and consumption in irrigated areas after not having done so for over four months.

As of Thursday, Lam Takhong had 90.45 million cubic metres of water, or 27% of its holding capacity, Lam Phraploeng was at 41.5% of its capacity with 45.54 cubic metres of water, and Lam Sae was likewise at 41.5% capacity with 114 million cubic metres of water. Despite the increased water level, officials at Lam Mun Bon reservoir were unable to release water because it was only at 24.7% capacity, with 35.19 million cubic metres of water.

Thada Sukabunnaphan, director of the Hydrology and Water Management Centre in the upper North, said the Ping River would not overflow and flood downtown Chiang Mai.

The water level in the Ping at Nawarat Bridge was measured at 2.3-2.4 metres yesterday, lower than the 3.75-metre level, which is considered critically high, said Mr Thada.

Despite the centre's assurance, Chiang Mai municipality officials yesterday delivered sandbags to residents in areas prone to flooding from the Ping. Mayor Thatsanai Buranuporakorn yesterday ordered municipal officials to monitor the river's water level.

In Chiang Mai's Hang Dong district, run-off from Doi Suthep mountain inundated many houses and agricultural areas yesterday.

Run-off triggered by two days of heavy rains flooded Pong and Nong Kwai villages in Hang Dong district. The water reached as high as 50 centimetres yesterday morning before receding.

In Phitsanulok, flash floods combined with the release of water from Sirikit Dam into the Nan River swept away a riverside raft selling products from the One Tambon, One Product (Otop) programme.

The 10-million-baht raft, which had been built by provincial authorities and placed in front of Wat Phrasri Mahathat Voramahaviharn temple to promote Otop products, was badly damaged as a result.

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Flash floods in North and South Thailand 
Bangkok Post: 15 Aug 2010
Hundreds evacuate homes
WEATHER BUREAU WARNS OF FLASH FLOODS AMID HEAVY RAINS

Floods in Lampang have forced the evacuation of hundreds of families as heavy rains continued to lash large parts of the North.

About 900 families in three tambons of Lampang's Chae Hom district were hit by flash floods on Friday. The floods began about four hours after a heavy downpour started around 8pm, according to the provincial office of the Disaster and Mitigation Department.

Flood waters were between 50cm to 1.5 metres deep.

Affected families in the area were forced to evacuate in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Lampang governor Supij Boonyaritpong ordered rescue efforts to be sped up in the area.

Pol Lt Col Saravuth Chanmano of the Tha Sadej police station in Muang district said one man was electrocuted while trying to warn people about the floods.

Police said a preliminary investigation found that Butr Theppawong, 50, an assistant village headman of Ban Wang Yom in Muang district, had walked along an inundated road in his village to warn families about the floods.

Police said Butr stopped at one house to close a metal front gate that had been left open and grabbed a dangling wire to tie the gate.

The wire had electric current and electrocuted Butr.

His partially burned body was found swept by the floods about five metres from the gate.

Certain areas of neighbouring Lamphun were being monitored for possible flash flooding.

Chiang Mai, which had previously been under a flood warning, was yesterday declared safe, said Thada Sukhapunapan, chief of the northern office of the Meteorological Department based in Chiang Mai.

The weather bureau warned people living in low-lying areas to be on the alert for possible flash floods until Thursday, as rain is still forecast for most parts of the country.

Floods in the North were also a concern for central provinces like Ayutthaya, which could be affected by overflow from the Chao Phraya River and other rivers passing the old capital.

Ayutthaya governor Witthaya Phiewphong warned residents, especially those in low-lying areas, to brace for possible floods, and has told rescue workers and concerned agencies to also be on high alert.

In Bangkok, city clerk Charoenrat Chutikarn has ordered the irrigation office responsible for the eastern part of the capital to have 20 water pumps on standby in the event of flooding.

In Ranong, governor Wanchart Wongchaichana yesterday warned tourists of possible flash floods at the province's popular waterfalls, which are usually crowded with visitors during the rainy season.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/191113/hundreds-evacuate-homes

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Flash flood warning for 16 Thai provinces 
Bangkok Post: 22 Aug 2010
Downpours prompt flash flood warning in 16 provinces


A flash flood warning is in effect in 16 provinces in the North, Northeast and the Central Plains.

The Meteorological Department has issued the warning in
Nan,
Phrae,
Uttaradit,
Sukhothai,
Phitsanulok,
Phetchabun,
Kalasin,
Mukdahan,
Roi Et,
Yasothon,
Nakhon Ratchasima,
Amnat Charoen,
Si Sa Ket,
Ubon Ratchathani,
Nakhon Nayok and
Prachin Buri.

The department predicted sustained heavy rains in many parts of these provinces and advised residents to be on the alert for water run-off from mountains.

In the northeastern province of Kalasin, heavy rains caused Huay Sai creek in Na Mon district and Huay Kaeng creek in Muang district to overflow, flooding more than 2,000 rai of farmland. Roads to many villages were also submerged.

The local weather bureau also told villagers living near the Phu Phan mountain range to watch for run-off that could trigger a flash flood in the next two years. Provincial governor Viroj Jivarangsan ordered district authorities to be on flood alert. Emergency units were on standby.

In Buri Ram, up to 400 rai of rice fields remained inundated in Nang Rong and Lahan Sai districts. Flooding also rendered many small roads connecting villages in Satuk district impassable.

However, the heavy rains have eased drought in some farming areas.

Buri Ram governor Peerasak Hinmuangkao said residents in communities near the Moon River in Satuk district and Mas River in Lam Plai Mat district should prepare for floods by moving their belongings to higher ground.

In the northern province of Phrae, water run-off cut off village roads and damaged about 20 houses in Long district yesterday morning.

Somdet Jaiha, village head in Ban Pha Kan, said Huay Mae Son creek overflowed, resulting in some livestock being lost in the flood.

Phrae governor Somchai Hatthayatani said some farmland was also submerged and livestock killed in floods in Song, Muang and Wang Chin districts.


http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/192298/downpours-prompt-flash-flood-warning-in-16-provinces

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Villager feared drowned in Lampang flash flood
วันอาทิตย์ ที่ 22 ส.ค. 2553

LAMPANG, Aug 22 - One villager is missing and feared drowned while thousands of residents have been affected to higher ground as flash floods have hit the northern province of Lampang, officials said Sunday.

Water runoff from a mountain destroyed a number of houses in Ko Kha district while one local resident was swept away by the flash flood. Rescue workers were searching for the victim.

In Chae Hom district, more than 50 houses were affected by one metre deep floodwaters, and many vehicles were swept away by the flood. Cars were unable to pass through the district, officials said.

Lampang disaster response authorities said more than 700 houses in seven districts of the province are now under deep water, with the situation especially critical in three districts including the provincial seat, where canal overflowed damaging homes and drowning livestock.

The Meteorological Department has issued a warning that flash floods are expected in 16 provinces in the North, Northeast and Central regions. It has forecast that heavy rains are anticipated in these provinces and residents should be on alert for water run-off from mountains. (MCOT online news)