Northern, Northeastern Provinces Warned Of Heavy Rains, Flooding

[george]

Northern, northeastern provinces warned of heavy rains, flooding

BANGKOK: -- The Meteorological Department Tuesday issued an urgent warning, uring residents of northern and northeastern provinces to brace themselves for heavy rains and possible flooding.

The department said a low pressure ride over the North and Northeast has passed over the low pressure mass at the upper Vietnamese cost, resulting in heavy rains in most areas of northern and northeastern regions.

The department said the heavy rains could cause flash floods in several provinces, especially Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Prae, Lampang, Uttaradit, and Phetchabun Tuesday until Wedneday.

The department also warned that Mekong and other rivers could overflow the banks from Tuesday to Wednesday, causing flooding in Chiang Rai, Loei, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan.

-- The Nation 2008-08-12

[Martin]

Coming back from "Big Buddha Day" at the forest temple this afternoon, driving on the unpaved roads was like driving over skating rinks.

The rice all looked very happy, though!!!

[george]

Flooding on the rise: hits Thai Mekong River provinces

LOEI: -- Heavy rains continued to hit northern and northeastern Thailand on Wednesday, pouring water from many tributaries into the mainstream Mekong River, with the weather department issuing a warning that more rain is on the way due to a low pressure system passing the regions from neighbouring Laos.

The Mekong River early Wednesday overflowed its banks here and in at least two other districts in this northeastern province are now under floodwaters measuring some 50-70 centimetres in depth.

Six houses in a village in Chiang Khan district were destroyed and several roads damaged.

Relief workers helped local residents to move their valuables to higher ground.

The Meteorological Department station in Loei said current heavy rains resulted from a weather system trough of low pressure across northern and northeastern Thailand. Heavy rains will cause the water levels in the Mekong River as well as other rivers to continue rising and people living near the banks should be on alert for flash floods.

In the northernmost province of Chiang Rai, the flooding situation remained critical as the water level in the Mekong River receded only slightly while a section of the road linking Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong districts was still under water over 50 centimetres deep.

A port in Chiang Saen was closed due to the sharp rise of water volume in the river and goods loading or unloading into boats had to be conducted manually by dockside labourers.

-- TNA 2008-08-13

[Jai Dee]

Mekong water levels flood Nong Khai

The water level of the Mekong river in Nong Khai province this morning exceeded critical height and has begun to pose a threat of flooding. The Hydrology Survey Center of Nong Khai measured water levels at 13.19 meters today, an increase of 34 centimeters from yesterday and the highest recorded level in 42 years, exceeding a previous record flood high of 13.12 meters.

The Department of Water Resources reports that water levels in northern province Loei remain high and will thus contribute to a constant rise to the Mekong further south. Seventeen schools have been shut down following flood situations in 4 districts of northern provinces.

The governor of Nong Khai has ordered the opening of a temporary shelter for those afflicted by the flood.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 13 August 2008

[Jai Dee]

Deluge hits 3 districts in Chiang Rai province

Three districts of Chiang Rai province were hit by floods, resulting in passengers and vehicles being cut off from public road.

Mr. Chettha Mosikrat (เชษฐา โมสิกรัตน์) from the Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department of Chiang Rai disclosed that Baan Saew Subdistrict of Chiang Saen district (เชียงแสน) is experiencing high levels of water because of the overflowinf of the Kong (โขง) River.

Chian Saen-Chiang Khong road through Sri Dor Mun (ศรีดอมูล) sub-district, Vieng (เวียง) sub-district, Mae Ngoen (แม่เงิน) sub-district were reportedly submerged underwater with high water levels ranging from 70 centimeters up to 1.50 meter. Motorists in these districts are unable to commute to local areas.

Areas in seven sub-districts in Chiang Khong (เชียงของ) were also inundated with high water level of 1-2 meters, resulting in damage to agricultural areas. Flood victims have been evacuated to safer locations.

At the same time, a deluge of mountain floods have hit four communities, victimized around 13,500 villagers in Viang Kaen (เวียงแก่น). Public roads and farming areas were heavily damaged. Local authorities have also formed an ad hoc center to prevent floods and possible landslides. Warning will be given around the clock if there are disasters.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 13 August 2008

[Jai Dee]

Mukdahan prepares flood preventive measures

Governor of Mukdahan province Praneet Bunmee (ปราณีต บุญมี) says the province has prepared measures to prevent flooding after the province’s hydrology center reported that the water level of Mekong River stood at 12.40 meters, lower than the critical point by only ten centimeters.

The governor says the water level of Mekong River is continuously increasing at an average of two centimeters an hour last night. People whose residence is near the riverbanks of Mekong River and a low area have started to move their properties to a high place. Meanwhile, the Mueang Mukdahan Municipality has arranged a viewpoint area on the Mekong riverbanks to be a temporary market until the water level decrease.

The governor advises people to move their properties to a high place and be cautious against reptiles such as snake and centipede. He also encourages the affected people to request for assistance from the provincial administrative authorities and disaster prevention and mitigation centers near their residences.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 14 August 2008

[george]

Buri Ram declares flooded districts as disaster zones

BURI RAM: -- The northeastern province of Buri Ram has declared ten flood-hit districts as disaster zone areas.

Incessant rains have triggered floods in Buri Ram, with more than 4,000 households and about 20,000 acres of farmland having been affected by the flooding.

The province is assessing the damage and issued a warning for local residents to brace for flash floods.

Meanwhile, the meteorological department has forecast moderate rain and heavy rain in the eastern region, with storms tending to move towards Bangkok, covering the capital city and surrounding areas.

-- TNA 2008-08-19

[Scott]

My thoughts are with these folks. Not a pleasant situation.

By the way, are there any updates on the storm surge that is supposed to hit Bangkok next month? I keep hearing about it but don't quite understand what's going on.

[george]

8 northern, northeastern provinces warned of flash floods

BANGKOK: -- The Meteorological Department Wednesday warned residents of eight northern and northeastern provinces to brace themselves for heavy rains and possible flash floods.

In its daily forecast issued at 4 am, the department said the influence of the lower pressure ridge over the two regions coupled with the influence of southwest monsoon over the Andaman and Gulf of Thailand would cause heavy rains in the upper part of Thailand.

The eight provinces of Chiang Rai, Nan, Phrae, Uttaradit, Phetchabun, Chaiyaphum, Nong Khai, and Nakhon Phanom would be hardest hit by rains and flash floods may occur, the department said.

It added that about 60 per cent of Bangkok areas could be hit by rains.

-- The Nation 2008-08-20

[george]

Flooding in Chiang Rai business districts; Chaiyaphum prepares

CHIANG RAI: -- Homes and business areas in Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district are under one-metre deep floodwaters, as the water level of the Mae Sai River crested at 3.88 metres. greatly over the critical level of 2.50 metres following heavy rain in Thailand and Myanmar, overflowing its banks and flooding residential and business areas in Mae Sai municipality.

Local authorities in Chiang Rai are helping residents to move their belongings and goods to higher ground.

Manop Thailor, head of the provincial hydrology office warned residents along the Mae Chan River to brace for floods due to continuing rainfall.

Chaiyaphum governor Thavorn Prommeechai convened a meeting to brace for possible flooding and landslides after the meteorological department issued a warning about the low pressure trough covering the northern part of the country and heavy rain, which will cause an increased water volume in the Chee River.

Four areas including Ban Khwao, Nong Bua Daeng, Pakdeechumpon, and Muang districts are now considered at-risk of flooding.

-- TNA 2008-08-21