Floods hit Northwest, more rain for Bangkok

A flash flood hit five homes in Mae Hong Son's Mae Sariang district late Monday night, prompting home owners and families to run for their lives to a nearby mountain, while Lampang's 13 districts have been warned of downpourtriggered floods.

Flooding first hit Ban Wang Yao at 11.30pm on Friday, but Mae Sariang officials were unable to reach affected homes to help riverside residents move their belongings because of increasing currents. Other villagers could only watch helplessly as their belongings were caught in the strong floodwaters.

Mae Sariang electricity officials cut the power to Ban Wang Yao as a safety precaution as waters in some areas reached electricity meters.

Meanwhile, Lampang Meteorological Station chief Thiwa Phanmaisi has issued a warning of flash floods and flooded conditions in 13 districts of Lampang, following heavy downpours covering 70 per cent of the province, particularly in Ngao, Mae Mo, Muang Pan and Mae Prick districts.

Radar showed that 13 districts are covered with dense rain clouds.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration drainage office chief, Chanchai Withoonpanyakit said that measurement of continuous rainfall in Bangkok over the past few days showed it to be higher than the average for the past 30 years.

Since low pressure ridges still cover Thailand and Bangkok, forecasters say we should expect continuous rainfall over the current 12 month period. Bangkok's rainfall in August and September will total from 190340 millimetres, and there might be tropical cyclones.

-- The Nation 2009-09-01

Sorry to hear about flooding elsewhere, but in northernmost Thailand, the monsoon has been bringing less than usual amounts. Indeed, I predict much lower-than-usual reservoirs and well levels falling to dire levels by March/April next year - at least in my region of Chiang Rai.

Corn fields here are drying out, people are doing burn piles, and the Mae Kok river is about 3 meters lower than usual for this time of year. Odd for what should be the wettest month.

As for Bkk, ....well, it's been said B4, but they should seriously plan for 'satellite cities' - perhaps with one focusing on universities, one for manufacturing and shipping, and one for bureaucracy. Thais don't need all their stuff in one gargantuan sinking city.

The immense costs of moving Bkk to higher ground would pale against the even larger costs of not doing so.

O boy...here I am planning to come out in September. Am I mad/

I'll just bring my wet suit/mask/snorkle and fins just in case.

Floods hit Northwest, more rain for Bangkok

forecasters say we should expect continuous rainfall over the current 12 month period.

Does this mean a '12 month rainy season' or am I missing something in the posting?

Since low pressure ridges still cover Thailand and Bangkok, forecasters say we should expect continuous rainfall over the current 12 month period. Bangkok's rainfall in August and September will total from 190340 millimetres, and there might be tropical cyclones.

-- The Nation 2009-09-01

So continuous rainfall for 12 months, and 190 meters of rain in 2 months???? <deleted>

Who writes this drivel?

Since low pressure ridges still cover Thailand and Bangkok, forecasters say we should expect continuous rainfall over the current 12 month period. Bangkok's rainfall in August and September will total from 190340 millimetres, and there might be tropical cyclones.

-- The Nation 2009-09-01

So continuous rainfall for 12 months, and 190 meters of rain in 2 months???? <deleted>

Who writes this drivel?

Answer: People with a Thai university education. In other words, people who graduate regardless of how often they skip classes, or how dismal their test scores are. The writers are probably also products of Thai English teachers - go figure.

As for science & precision, well...., if they can read a clock, they'll tell you it's 5 o'clock when the big hand is somewhere near the 12, and the little hand is somewhere near the bottom of the dial.

I guess maths is not in the curriculum for journalists.