Flooding in Chiang Mai as rain continues falling

CHIANG MAI: -- Many areas in the northern province of Chiang Mai are inundated due to continuous heavy rain on Saturday night.

Chiang Mai Provincial Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation chief Prajon Prajsakul said flooding conditions have hit many places in the municipal and different districts. He said the drainage system in some areas could not pump out water quickly, but the situation is gradually improving.

Mr Prajon said the flood situation at Chiang Mai’s municipal is not considered worrying, as the recent water level of Ping River is still less than three metres while the critical level is at 3.7 metres. The province has prepared water pumps in 40 areas to remove stagnant water, he said.

The Meteorological Station in the North reported that heavy rain will continue falling for three more days, and it could lead to more flooding conditions in the province.

Flood conditions have already affected many districts such as Fang, Mae Ai and Wiang Haeng. However, the water level in Fang district almost reaches its critical level at 4.8 metres.

According to Mr Prajon, the provincial authority has asked affected villagers take their belongings and evacuate to higher grounds.

-- Bangkok Post 2008-09-07

Flash floods hit northern Thailand, some major roads cut

CHIANG MAI/CHIANG RAI: -- Several northern Thai provinces were inundated Sunday

following heavy downpours and flash floods late Saturday, provincial emergency response

workers were busily pumping floodwater from numerous communities and flood-prone roads.

In Wiang Pa Pao district of the northernmost province of Chiang Rai, water overflowing

from a reservoir swept six villages damaging over one thousand homes. Floodwaters

in some areas were deeper than one metre.

Villagers were unable to move their personal effects to higher ground because the flood hit

their villages during the night.

The Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai roadway was under water some 50 centimetres deep, making

it difficult for small vehicles to pass.

In Chiang Mai, a flash flood from Doi Suthep overflowed brooks and inundated about 10

houses in a community area while traffic within the heart of the city became difficult as several

roads were under water. Municipality workers pumped floodwaters, and indicated that they

believed the situation would return to normal late Sunday.

Sixty homes in two Lampang villages were flooded late Saturday and local authorities warned

residents that further heavy rain was expected.

As the monsoon season is now affecting Thailand's weather systems, Apichai Chawacharoenphan,

director-general of the Mineral Resources Department, issued a warning that residents in the

mountains or along waterways in 12 northern and northeastern provinces should be on alert for

mudslides and flash floods in the next few days as low pressure is expected to pass through the

regions bringing heavy rains.

-- TNA 2008-09-07