FLOOD. Most rain in 30 years, government records show

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FLOOD

Most rain in 30 years, government records show
The Nation 2011-09-20

The amount of rain that has fallen in recent months is the most in 30 years, according to the Department of Water Resources' records.

Flooding has affected residents in almost 30 provinces, while those living in areas along the lower Chao Phraya River |have been swamped for two months.

La Nina and extreme weather have been blamed for the excess rain, which worsened flood levels in many provinces across the country, according to Professor Thanawat Jarupongsakul, a lecturer at the Unit for Disaster and Land Information Studies at Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Science.

He said La Nina conditions were expected to ease in March but they got stronger again this month when the monsoon trough that normally moves over the country for a short period remained over the country for longer than it normally does.

So, that had caused continuous heavy rain.

"It is forecast that there will be storms, which will result in more rain in October.

"That will probably affect |the South, especially sloped areas.

"We should beware of possible landslides," Thanawat said.

Boonjong Jaratdamrongnit, director of the department's water crisis prevention centre, said the rainy season had |come a month earlier than usual due to the influence of the Nok-Ten and Haima storms and the monsoon trough. Hence, there was greater rain. Large dams across the country were now at 80-90 per cent of their full capacity.

Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute director Royon Jitdorn said the country was unable to manage a huge amount of floodwater.

He said trade winds had also caused continuous heavy rain. The phenomenon could have much influence in the middle of the rainy season.

But he was unable to say how long it would last.

"High tides will occur from the end of this month until next month.

"I'm worried that if authorities cannot release floodwater at that time, Bangkok will be inundated. They should rush to release as much water as possible now," Royon said.