Concerns due to heavy rain remain despite floods easing

Concerns due to heavy rain remain despite floods easing

NONG KHAI, 10th September 2018 (NNT) – The Temporary Crisis Center has maintained a call for caution against flooding in many provinces nationwide, despite the flood crises in 10 provinces gradually resolving. 

The Temporary Crisis Center has indicated 55 provinces are at-risk of heavy rains. Meanwhile, the Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi and Mekong rivers have all remained high and are still a threat to their riverside communities. 

While the Mekong River has fallen slightly in Nong Khai province, floodwaters have remained due to the inability of area tributaries to drain into the river. Baan Pak Suay in the province’s Ponpisai district has been under 20-40 centimeters of water for over a week and market vendors have had to switch to rafts to sell their goods. 

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) meanwhile reported that 10 provinces are still contending with the effects of tropical storm Bebinca and a southwesterly monsoon that hit between August 17 and September 9. They are Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nakhon Panom, Sakon Nakhon, Kalasin, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Petchaburi and Saraburi. Up to 32,941 households have been impacted by flooding and are receiving continuing assistance from the military and relevant agencies. 

The six dams still being monitored closely due to holding over 80 percent of their capacity are Nam Oun, Kaeng Krachan, Vajiralongkorn, Sri Nakarin, Khun Dan Prakan Chon and Naruebodintarajinda. All are being drained at a steady rate in anticipation of more rain, except Nam Oun Dam, which is to retain a high water level on expectations of drought next year. All other dams holding less than 60 percent of their capacity have been told to retain water.

 

-- nnt 2018-09-10