Northern villages warned to beware of landslides

Heavy downpours could trigger them

CHIANG MAI: -- People in the North have been warned to brace themselves for landslides during the rainy season, the Mineral Resources Department said yesterday.

The warning came about after a recent survey by Chiang Mai University, which found that 32 villages in Mae Ai, Chai Prakan, Mae Taeng, Samoeng, Mae Chaem and Fang districts could expect landslides in the event of heavy downpours. Somsak Porthisat, director-general of the department, said several villages in the six districts were located in mountainous areas with soil erosion.

The structure of the soil in these areas resembles soft clay or is sandy, so the villages are vulnerable to landslides during heavy rains.

Residents from at least two villages in Samoeng and Mae Ai districts have sought relocation, fearing such risks. Authorities have already prepared evacuation plans.

The department has launched a network for Chiang Mai to provide landslide warnings to local residents.

Since it was not possible to install warning systems in all high-risk areas, the department has urged villagers to pay heed to ``traditional'' warning signs.

One such indication is the movement of armies of ants carrying their eggs. Traditionally this is thought to signify imminent heavy downpours.

The department's recent survey across the country found some 51 provinces are prone to landslides.

Meanwhile, heavy rain and landslides halted traffic yesterday on a highway in Phangnga's Kapong district.

Heavy downpours hit Kapong around noon, causing landslides alongside the Surat Thani-Takua Pa highway. Many vehicles were left stranded for an hour before the road could be cleared by local highway officials and rescue workers.

Information and Communications Technology Minister Suvit Khunkitti has called for weather forecast reports to be revamped.

Mr Suvit said he has asked the Meteorological Department to update weather reports every hour starting with Bangkok weather. The department would seek cooperation from the media in broadcasting weather reports. He was considering setting up a weather channel for Thais and foreigners and transferring an earthquake office which is under supervision of the Meteorological Department to the Mineral Resources Department.

--Bangkok Post 2005-06-05

Environment minister shrugs off threat of landslides

BANGKOK: -- Natural Resources and Environment Minister Yongyut Tiyapairat today dismissed landslide warnings in the north, saying that the public had been fully warned, and that an early warning system would be in place by the end of the year.

Speaking in response to landslide warnings issued by the Department of Mineral Resources, Mr. Yongyut said that ministry officials had made 3,200 inspections, and had warned local residents of the risks involved.

He also revealed that a warning system would be installed by the end of the year, which would inform the public of rainfall levels, and would tell them whether or not they needed to be evacuated from their homes.

Yesterday people living in several northern provinces were warned to prepare themselves for landslides during the upcoming rainy season.

--TNA 2005-05-05

Update:

Chiang Mai villagers flee homes after land subsidence warning

CHIANG MAI: -- Villagers in Samoeng district of Thailand's northern province of Chiang Mai have demolished their homes and moved elsewhere following a warning from the Department of Mineral Resources that they were living in an area at risk from a land subsidence.

Samoeng district chief Sanoh Thapthawee told reporters today that the announcement had caused widespread panic in Baan Tha Kham, a village in tambon Yangmoen.

Over the past two days, nearly 20 households in the area, which lies on a limestone hill, had relocated their houses some 800 metres away, he said, adding that the remaining 10 households were also in the process of moving.

Villagers have been warned that if rainfall exceeds 10 centimetres, they must evacuate from the area immediately.

--TNA 2005-06-06