Widespread Flood Alert In Chiang Rai

[george]

Widespread flood alert in Chiang Rai as floodwaters continue to rise

CHIANG RAI: -- Torrential rains hit Thailand's northernmost province of Chiang Rai on Saturday night, inundating more than 500 villagers' homes, making several roads impassable to small vehicles.

More than 20 houses in two villages are now under water -- in some areas measured at over one metre deep after a reservoir burst and poured down a nearby mountainside.

A reservoir in another area also burst, spewing waters into four villages, causing more than 500 houses to be submerged.

Meanwhile, a highway from Chiang Rai to Mae Sai district bordering Myanmar is also flooded and small cars are unable to pass through waters as deep as one metre in some areas.

Relief officials in flat-bottomed boats have been sent to flooded areas to provide assistance to displaced victims as waters continue to rise in key rivers. Heavy rain continues to ravage the province.

People living near river and low-lying areas have been alerted to be on watch for flash floods and mudslides.

--TNA 2005-08-28

[ChiangMaiMike]

Am I correct in thinking that water drains into the MaeKong River?

m

[Puma]

Copy from:

Bangkok Post update: 2005-08-18

More storms, flooding on the way

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Bhumibol dam's reservoir had room for more water and he did not think there would be more severe flooding in the North.

Comment:

I hope that the people in charge in the northern provinces don’t listen to Mr. Thaksin and try to prevent further misery for the people who been suffering the flooding.

Way not prevent further logging on the hillsides? And replant the forest!

I have heard that Mr. Thaksin came from the north so he should know were Bhumibol dam is situated, and the flooding is caused by the rain.

Bhumibol dam is situated about 4 hours drive south of Chiang Mai. (about 350 km)

[sjoelbak]

Am I correct in thinking that water drains into the MaeKong River?

m

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Correct

[msw]

Anyone know if, as the first story implies, the main highway linking CR and Mae Sai is closed? Are the rains still coming? I have a visa run scheduled for tomorrow from CM...having survived the flood here 2 weeks ago, I'd love to avoid a repeat.

Thanks,

Matt

[Johpa]

Am I correct in thinking that water drains into the MaeKong River?

m

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Most of Chiang Rai, as well as northern Chiang Mai up in Fang, drains into the Kok River which in turn meets the Mae Khong.

[jinalbert]

Isn't 1 meter is around 3 feet? How can a house submerge under that???

[ChiangMaiMike]

About 39.37 inches in a meter.

Poor use of the English language isn't uncommon in these parts... get used to it.

'Flooded' would probably be more correct... although parts of the houses would be submerged.

[lannachiangrai]

Chiang Rai City center has seen no flooding this year, only the countryside. There is a new drainage canal north of the city and it has effectively kept the flood waters away. However 20-30 km outside the city you can see flooded fields and in some places flooded roads. It certainly isn't as serious as CM and the weather has been warm and sunny for the last 2 days so things are drying quickly.

[Artisan]

If only Pattaya could have some rain. The news here is that if there is no prolonged rainfall in the Pattaya area by the end of September then there will be no local water resource for the next "high season". (I wonder if next season's holiday brochures will mention this?).

There was really heavy rain early on Sunday morning but this hardly replenished the normal ground moisture never mind adding to any storage.

[Jai Dee]

THE MOAC HAS ORDERED URGENT MEASURES FOR MORE POSSIBLE FLOODS IN THE NORTH

The Agriculture Minister has ordered the Royal Irrigation Department to deploy more water pumps for future utilization in Chiang Rai, while preparing to announce an official report on provinces that would affected from the latest storms. The report is expected to be released this afternoon.

Agriculture Minister Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan (สุดารัตน์ เกยุราพันธุ์) has referred to the official tolls from the recent floods in Chiang Rai, where he stated that more than a thousand households have been affected by the floods.

Meanwhile, the Royal Irrigation Department has been instructed to deploy 100 water pumps to be utilized in the flooded areas in the future.

The Ministry is also planning to release a list of provinces that still need to closely follow the news and to take caution, which should be released this afternoon, since there is a high possibility of new storms hitting the areas over the next few days.

Source: thaisnews.com

[george]

Thailand's north and northeastern regions warned of flash floods

BANGKOK: -- The Meteorological Department warned seven provinces in the north and northeast of flashfloods as they will be affected by a depression in the South China Sea.

Flood-prone areas in Nakhon Phanom, Nong Khai, Mukdahan, Ubon Ratchathani, Chiang Rai, Phayao, and Nan provinces are at risk, according to Director-General Supharerk Tansrirattanawong of the Meteorological Department.

He said flash floods could hit low-lying areas in the upper northeast and the north where water levels in major rivers is still high.

The depression is centred about 400 km east of Thailand's northeastern Mukdahan province.The maximum wind velocity near its centre is some 50 km/hr.

Heavy rain is expected for the next few days in Thailand's northeast and east. Rainfall will help alleviate drought in these two regions.

--TNA 2005-08-29

[george]

Flash flood warning

The Meteorological Department yesterday warned villagers in seven provinces in the North and the upper Northeast about possible flash floods from a depression in the South China Sea.

The depression was expected to hit Vietnam late last night, director-general Suparerk Tansrirattanawong said, and heavy rains were forecast for the next few days in the Northeast, the East and Central regions of Thailand, easing some drought-stricken areas.

However, low-lying areas in Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Ubon Ratchathani, Chiang Rai, Phayao, and Nan where water levels in major rivers were still high could face flash floods. Residents in flood-prone areas have been warned to be on high alert.

Meanwhile, Tak province yesterday set September 7 for an emergency drill in case of overflows at Bhumibol Dam in Sam Ngao district, according to deputy gov?ernor Surachai Pheungjitton.

The drill involving at least 1,000 participants is part of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department’s plan requiring the province to organise two drills a year, he said, adding that there were 179 flood-and-mudslide-prone areas in Tak including areas around the dam.

--The Nation 2005-08-30

[astral]

I thought reserviors were designed with a spillway to take off excess water

before it spills over the top of the retaining wall causing damage?

Or is that approach part of the famous. "Oh we do it differently in Thailand" attitude?

[gregchambers]

What's CR like now, and the visa run road to Mae Sai?

[Jai Dee]

THE MOAC HAS ISSUED A STATEMENT WARNING OF POSSIBLE FLOODS IN THE NOTHERN AND NORTHERNEASTERN REGIONS

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has issued a statement warning people in the northern and north-eastern regions of possible floods caused by the depression that is moving over the country.

Referring to the formation of a depression over the northern and north-eastern regions, the Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister, Khun-Ying Sudarat Keyuraphan, said it would cause a torrential rainfall across the region. This will be the case especially in 8 north-eastern provinces of Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Ubon Ratchathani, Sakon Nakhon, Kalasin, Roi Et and Yasothon, and 2 eastern provinces of Chanthaburi and Trat. At the same time, people in 3 Northern provinces of Chiang Rai, Phayao and Nan have been warned of possibly sudden flooding. They are being instructed to closely follow up on the latest weather forecast news of the Meteorological Department over the next 1 or 2 days.

Nevertheless, Khun-Ying Sudarat noted that the depression would yield an increasing amount of fresh water in the drought-stricken areas. In Nakhon Phanom Province currently affected by floods, the depression is expected to cause a severe impact in Muang, Si Songkhram and Tard Phanom Districts.

Source: thaisnews.com

[aletta]

Well here in Nong Khai we had a wild night.Holy shit.The only time that comes even close was October 1987 in London.Winds like i've never seen in Thailand.Trees down everywhere and roofs missing.We're OK.All along the main road is hazardous due to tree limbs blocking the bike lane and so bikers swerving out into the traffic flow.

[Jai Dee]

THE PRIVATE SECTOR SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO JOIN WITH THE DIGGING OF WATERWAYS

The prime minister has deemed that the private sector should be allowed to join with the state sector in digging up waterways to solve the flooding problems, as both sides would benefit.

Ms. Sansanee Narkphong (ศันสนีย์ นาคพงศ์), the vice deputy spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, stated that the prime minister has spoken on the need for digging of the waterways to address the flooding problems, where he saw that opportunities should be given to the private sector to move in and assist. The dug-up soil would be able to be sold, and this would also reduce the state's budget. Thus, Deputy Prime Minister Phinij Jarusombat (พินิจ จารุสมบัติ) has been assigned to proceed with the matter.

The prime minister also assigned the Transport Ministry to inspect and improve the construction method for highways, as lately it has been realized that there was no space to accommodate water between roads and land owned by people, which made up one of the problems during flooding.

The spokesperson also stated that the prime minister had reiterated to agencies responsible for the mega projects to announce their tenders before the end of this year.

Source: thaisnews.com