Ubon Ratchathani, Surin, Khon Kaen, Mahasarakham Warned To Keep Floodwatch

[webfact]

Ubon Ratchathani, Surin, Khon Kaen, Mahasarakham warned to keep floodwatch

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's national Flood Coordination Centre has warned the northeastern provinces of Ubon Ratchathani, Surin, Khon Kaen and Mahasarakham to be on high alert regarding the flood situation as water levels could increase significantly next week (Nov 2-8), while metropolitan Bangkok must remain vigilant due to high tide forecast for Nov 6-11, according to Flood Centre chairman Apirak Kosayodhin, an advisor to the prime minister.

Mr Apirak, a former Bangkok governor, said that the floods had so far impacted 244 districts in 27 provinces affecting 1.2 million households and about 3.7 million people nationwide.

The Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand reported Friday that the death toll rose to 94 persons, including 78 men and 16 women in almost three weeks of flooding.

Mr Apirak said Ubon Ratchathani, Surin, Khon Kaen and Mahasarakham must remain alert as rising water from the Chee and Moon rivers will converge in those provinces November 2-10.

Provinces in central region could face a new round of high tide during Nov 6-11 as the peak tide will take place Nov 8, he said, warning Bangkok and Samut Prakan residents to brace for higher water levels in the Chao Phraya River.

Meanwhile the southern region will face heavy rains on Monday and Tuesday with possible flash floods and mud slides in Yala and Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Mr Apirak said the Flood Centre and the Committee to Oversee and Follow Up Flood Relief urged provincial and local agencies to warn the areas that are at risk of more flooding to be prepared and to seek measures to prevent higher waters from flooding their areas.

The Ministry of Public Health and related agencies were also requested to provide advice and help the flood victims, he said.

The Meteorological Department warned of heavy rain in the south and strong winds and waves in the Gulf of Thailand.

The weather department said in its latest advisory statement issued on Friday afternoon that from today through Sunday a ridge of intense high pressure from China over upper Thailand has made for a stronger northeast monsoon. The monsoon trough across the Andaman Sea, the south and the Gulf of Thailand brings more rain and heavy rain much of the south with stronger wind and wave in the Gulf.

It warned people in at risk areas near waterways and in lowlands should beware of severe weather and possible flash flood. The likely threatened areas include Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Ranong, Phang-nga Trang and Satun.

Ships at sea should proceed with caution, and small boats should remain ashore during this period.

Cooler weather with 2-3 degrees Celsius temperature drops is likely in the north, northeast, central and east.

Meanwhile, from Monday through Wednesday (Nov 1-3), a low cell over the Andaman Sea will strengthen and move to the Gulf and the middle south of Thailand. More rain and continuous heavy rainfalls are expected. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-10-30

[webfact]

Evacuation drill in Ubon as water runoff due to arrive

UBON RATCHATHANI, Oct 30 -- Officials in the northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani bordering Laos and the Mekong River on Saturday afternoon were conducting an evacuation drill for people in risk-prone areas in preparation for water runoff from the Chee and Moon rivers due to arrive in the province next week.

Preparations for the water runoff are underway as Apirak Kosayodhin, an advisor to the prime minister and also Flood Coordination Centre chairman, met with senior provincial officials.

It is projected that about 3,000 people from 1,600 households will be affected by the rising waters from the Chee and Moon rivers which will converge in three northeastern provinces, including Ubon Ratchathani, between November 2-10.

People in Warinchamrap district are expected to be most severely affected during the period as river banks. So far 234 households have been moved to temporary shelters. Mr Apirak presented some of them later in the day with relief supplies.

Acknowledging their hardships due to severe flooding which has hit Thailand for nearly three weeks now, the evacuees are also suffering from cooler weather as temperatures dropped.

The water level of the Moon River dropped by about three centimeters to 7.16 metres early Saturday and posed no problem for some 40 long-tailed boats which competed for a cup presented by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

People lined the banks and cheered wildly for their favourite boat teams as they temporarily forgot their hardships from the severe flooding -- at least for a short period.

Chalit Damrongsak, director-general of Royal Irrigation Department, said after inspecting the water level in the Moon River by helicopter that he was confident running waters in the Moon River during Nov 2-10 would be about 2,800 cubic metres per second, or overflowing the banks at the maximum level of 60 centimetres from the normal level.

He said if his projection proved correct, water would be released into Mekong River, as its water level is now lower than the Moon River. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-10-30