Provinces put on alert for tropical storm Nock-Ten

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Provinces put on alert for tropical storm Nock-Ten

Provinces in upper Thailand have been warned to brace for the impact of Tropical Storm Nock-Ten, with heavy rain forecast in many areas from early today.Published: 31/07/2011 at 12:00 AM
Bangkok Post: Newspaper section: news

The storm is expected to weaken into a tropical depression leading to heavy rain in many parts of Thailand until Wednesday, said Torsak Wanitkhachorn, director-general of the Meteorological Department, yesterday.

Communities at the foot of mountains in the North and Northeast are warned to stay alert for possible flash floods and landslides that could be triggered by water coming down from the mountains.

Provinces under flash flood warnings are Nong Khai, Bung Kan, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Mukdahan, Kalasin, Ranong, Chanthaburi and Trat.

Tomorrow, the flood warning will apply to Nong Khai, Bung Kan, Udon Thani, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Loei, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Nan, Phayao, Phrae, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok and Phetchabun.

From Tuesday to Wednesday, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Lamphun, Lampang, Sukhothai, Uttaradit, Phichit, Kamphaeng Phet, and Tak will be vulnerable.

High waves are also expected until Thursday in the south seas and small boats are being advised to remain ashore during this period.

Some areas have already been affected by Nock-Ten's influence.

In Nakhon Phanom, 10 centimetres of overflow from the Mekong River flooded the main fresh market and the provincial hospital yesterday.

In Sakon Nakhon, rain continued for hours yesterday, causing water levels in Nong Harn Lake to rise to close to its maximum retention amount.

Local irrigation authorities released the excess from the lake for fear that the rising water could flood several thousands of rai of farmland nearby.

In related news, the Thai captain of a Burmese ferry was killed when the vessel, carrying 25 passengers and two Thai crew, capsized off Kawthaung in Burma yesterday.

The ferry was owned by a Thai company in neighbouring Ranong.

The captain was Wirot Khapsamut. All passengers and crew survived.

Some 200 ferries running between Ranong and Kawthaung suspended services yesterday, and are planning to resume when weather conditions improve.

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NOCK-TEN

One death as storm ravages 14 provinces
The Nation 2011-08-03

Tropical Storm Nock-Ten continues to rage through 14 provinces, with one death reported in Udon Thani, according to the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department.

The provinces are Phrae, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Mae Hong Son, Uttaradit, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Nan, and Bung Kan - all in the North and the Northeast.

"Flood victims can call 1784 for help around the clock," the department's director-general Wiboonpong Sa-nguanpong said yesterday.

He said flooding had claimed one life in Udon Thani but the overall situation there was returning to normal.

In Lampang, thousands of people were still struggling with floods in many areas of Koh Kha district yesterday. More than 4,000 rai (640 hectares) of farmland was submerged.

Tambon Na Saeng Administrative Organisation, Ban Na Saeng health station, and at least two local schools in the district closed yesterday in the wake of flooding. At worst-hit spots, flood water was nearly 2 metres deep. Landslides also partially blocked Lampang-Ngao Road.

In Nan, floods have upset the lives of about 21,000 locals, and damaged 29 roads and 10,744 rai of farmland. However, flooding had eased as of press time.

In Chiang Mai, flooding has affected more than 20,000 people in San Kamphaeng district. Chiang Mai Governor ML Panadda Diskul yesterday handed out 1,000 sets of relief items to affected people at the San Kamphaeng district office.

In Sukhothai, inundation has forced at least three schools to shut down temporarily. Provincial Governor Jakrin Plianwong was closely monitoring the situation and locals and officials were instructed to be on alert.

In Sakon Nakhon, rainstorms damaged more than 5,000 rai of rubber plantations. Farmers yesterday gathered in front of the provincial hall to demand help.

Sakon Nakhon Governor Amnaj Pakarat convened an urgent meeting to prepare for delivering assistance to the affected farmers.

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Storm abates after killing seven in Thailand
AFP News. 2011-08-04

BANGKOK, August 4, 2011 (AFP) - Seven people have died in flooding across northern Thailand caused by the tail end of tropical storm Nock-ten, which left more than 60 people dead in the Philippines, officials said Thursday.

Rising waters affected the livelihoods of almost half a million people, with 16 provinces inundated since last week, Thailand's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said.

Twelve people were injured and four remain missing in floods and mudslides caused by unusually heavy rain across north and northeastern parts of Thailand due to Nock-ten, which has been downgraded to a depression, the department added.

Nock-ten, named after a Laotian bird, left at least 66 people dead and 17 others missing in the Philippines when it struck the country last month.

Most of those killed in the Philippines were said to be drowned or buried in landslides, while most of the missing were fishermen who vanished at sea when the storm hit.

Nock-ten also claimed one life in Vietnam when it arrived late Saturday.
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Landslides, floods kill 9, 6 others missing
TNA 2011-08-04

BANGKOK, Aug 4 - Nine people died and six are missing in landslides, drowning and other storm- and flood-related incidents in Thailand's North and Northeast, as the number of flood-hit provinces rose to 17, according to Public Health Ministry's deputy permanent secretary Dr Narong Sahamethapat.

The northern province of Mae Hong Son recorded the highest number of deaths with three people, two of them boys, dying in landslides triggered by incessant downpours in Sop Moei district. Chiang Mai has registered two more deaths, while Sukhothai, Sakon Nakhon, Phrae and Udon Thani provinces have one death each.

There are 7,000 patients with water-borne diseases such as athlete's foot and colds, Dr Narong said, adding that 79,000 sets of medicine have been distributed to them. Flooding also affected 10 local hospitals and one disease-control centre in Chiang Mai's Bosang district, the senior health ministry official said, adding that they remain open for services.

Seventeen provinces--12 in the North and five in the Northeast--are affected by flooding: Phare, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Lampoon, Lampang, Uttradit, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Nan, Phayao, Mae Hong Son, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Bung Kan, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom and Phichit.

Dr Narong also said people in the four northern provinces of Uttradit, Nan, Phrae and Phitsanulok have been warned to stay away from areas at risk of being hit by landslides. (MCOT online news)