Reservoir In Rayong Bursts, Flooding 50 Houses

Reservoir rampage

About 50 households affected as flash flood hits village in Rayong

RAYONG: -- Muddy waters from a broken reservoir damaged 50 households in Rayong's Bankhai district early yesterday.

About 62,000 cubic metres of muddy water gushed out at 4am from the reservoir owned by Eastern Water Resources Development and Management Public Co, Ltd, causing flash floods in CharkmailuangKhaopho village in Tambon Nonglalok.

Villagers had to flee their houses to safety.

About 50 households were flooded and more than 10 vehicles were washed away almost half a kilometre from parking areas and garages.

Mapkha Municipality mayor Wansiri Charoenporn said the flood ordeal lasted 20 minutes before the reservoir ran out of water, which also affected the village water supply.

Chalerm Chuphet, a manager of the company said the reservoir suffered a leak after water was used at high pressure to clean up mud on Saturday.

Chalerm said the company would offer compensation to the villagers.

The company assigned its employees to survey the damage and set up tents for affected residents to stay and cook food together with Tambon Nonglalok Administration Organisation.

Rayong Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office provided trucks with clean water to serve affected people.

-- The Nation 2008-09-29