Heavy Rain, Flooding Triggered By Tropical Storm Hit Northern, Northeastern Provinces

[Lite Beer]

Heavy rain, flooding triggered by tropical storm hit northern, northeastern provinces

PHRAE, July 31 – Heavy rain and flooding hit several northern and northeastern provinces while local authorities are prepared for more rain as tropical storm Nok-Ten enters Thailand Sunday.

n Phrae, flash flooding triggered by heavy rainfalls hit several areas in Rong Kwang district. A portion of Phrae-Nan road from the municipality office to the district office and the Rong Kwang police station is under about 50 centimetres of water.

In Den Chai and Mueng district, several villages were inundated. Chuan Sirinanthaporn, Phrae governor warned local residents in disaster-prone areas of flash flood and mudslide.

In the northeastern province of Nongkhai, heavy rain and flooding hit many areas including the municipality. Many main roads are currently under water. People evacuated their belongings to higher ground. Meanwhile, as a by-election is being held in Constituency 2 on Sunday after the Pheu Thai candidate was given a yellow card, officials worried that the heavy rains may result in low voter turnout.

Several provinces in the North have released water from reservoirs to prepare for more rainfall stemming from tropical storm Nok-Ten.

Chiang Rai irrigation officials drained water from Sruay reservoir and Chiang Rai dike to absorb rapidly increasing water and to prevent water from overflowing its banks to villagers and farmlands in low-lying areas along the Kok River and the Lao River. Rain in Chiang Rai stopped Sunday morning but overnight rain caused the water level in the Kok River, the Lao River, the Chan River, the Kham River and the Sai River to rise fast and become brownish-red and murky with silt. The local disaster prevention and mitigation office warned people at foothills, near waterways and in lowlands to beware of flash floods from July 31 to August 3.

In Lamphum, deputy governor Prachakjit Apiwat, said there is rainfall in 80 per cent of the province. Local residents in at-risk areas have been warned of possible flash floods. The local disaster prevention and mitigation office is offering emergency call service around the clock.

In Phichit, Saklek Kamjai, a local officer of the disaster prevention and mitigation department in Phichit said they are cooperating with the Royal Irrigation Department to reduce the released water from the Yom River to the Nan River as the Nan River is already at a high level. He also worked with the Chao Phraya dam in Chainat to drain water from the Chao Phraya River to prepare to absorb water from the northern provinces.

A centre to monitor the amount of rainfall, possible flash flood and mudslide from the tropical storm Nok-Ten has been established. The meteorological department has issued a warning for northeastern, northern and eastern provinces of heavy rain and possible flash floods associated with tropical storm Nok-Ten from Sunday until August 4.

The Associated Press reported tropical storm Nok-Ten slammed into north-central Vietnam, killing one person. A 68-year-old man was electrocuted by a falling power line on Saturday.

Nok-Ten has already left at least 50 people dead and 25 missing in the Philippines.

-- TNA 2011-07-31

[macgver]

Pray for the people in northern and northeastern provinces

[webfact]

Storm,flood threat to 13 north, NE provinces

By The Nation

Nong Khai was struggling yesterday with fierce flooding from six hours of heavy overnight rain under the influence of tropical storm Nock Ten, which had reached the Vietnamese coast.

Torrential rain in several other provinces in the Northeast as well as the North grounded several domestic flights.

Flatboats were deployed extensively to rescue stranded villagers in urban areas in Muang and Phone Phisai districts, where floodwaters were reported rising up to 80 centimetres.

In Mae Hong Son, flashfloods ravaged several resorts in Pai district, driving tourists to high ground and prompting evacuations, while lowlying villages were also inundated.

Many Nok Air flights in the northern province were cancelled, forcing tourists to use ground transportation to get to and from Chiang Mai.

A Nok Air plane returned to Chiang Mai after failing to land in Mae Hong Son because of poor visibility from rain and fog.

All seven district chiefs have been ordered to stay on alert to monitor the flood situation and calls for emergency relief operations, Governor Kamthorn Thawornsathit said.

All state hospitals in the North and Northeast have been put on standby for flashfloods and emergency medical services.

They were ordered directly by the Public Health Ministry to build barriers and move equipment to upper floors, stockpile medicine and supplies, evacuate patients and prepare to serve local residents through mobile units.

The latest weather forecast predicted flashfloods in 13 north, northeastern and eastern provinces as Nock Ten approached.

Another statement, reporting weather conditions for today, tomorrow and Wednesday, warned of flood risks in other provinces further west as Nock Ten moves inland.

Fishing trawlers were advised not to venture offshore in both the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea from yesterday to Thursday due to high swells.

Many residents in Sukhothai and Nong Khai braved the rain and floods to vote in the byelections, but the turnouts in both provinces were expected to be lower than for the July 3 general election.

In Phichit, up to 6,000 rai of farmland have been swamped and wider areas would be submerged if the rain continues, relief officials said.

-- The Nation 2011-08-01

[nicky1982]

Been raining here in Bang chang from 10pm last night and not stop for 1min kept me up all night

Edited July 31, 2011 by nicky1982

[nikster]

Countinuous heavy rain in chiang mai since yesterday afternoon, can't be long before there's flooding. Pai already flooding...

[Thai at Heart]

3 days continuous drizzle in Khon Kaen. No floods yet in town, but won't be long.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Countinuous heavy rain in chiang mai since yesterday afternoon, can't be long before there's flooding. Pai already flooding...

It's not that heavy. It's just a depression moving in.

That's why it's called the rainy season.

No flooding; not in Chiang Mai town anyway other than when some drains get clogged, so very localized puddles of standing water before it drains away.

[ratcatcher]

No rain, no water in the reservoirs.

No water in the reservoirs, no irrigation.

No irrigation, no rice.

[CNX1984]

Some flooding in San sai, Chiangmai this morning.

[webfact]

Two persons missing in flood triggered by tropical storm Nock-Ten

PHRAE, Aug 1 – Unexpected floods have hit many provinces in Thailand’s North and Northeast due to the influence of tropical storm Nock-Ten, with two persons reported missing in Phrae.

Two persons went missing in Rongkwang district when their boat capsized while they were on duty helping flood victims.

Roads in the municipality are under water and flooding at the provincial bus terminal forced vehicles to park outside.

In Uttaradit, runoff from nearby forest areas has flooded homes in three sub-districts. Some areas are under two metres of water. Residents moved cars, farming equipment and valuable belongings to higher ground. Many roads are under water and a number of villages have been cut off from the outside world.

As rain continues, resident were forced to move to the second floors of their homes. The provincial disaster response agency warned residents for foothill areas in the provincial seat, Thasap and Laplae districts to beware of flash flood. Local authorities are on alert around the clock.

The storm brought flooding to Phisanulok’s Bang Rakam district, destroying over 4,000 rai (1,600 acres) of the current paddy rice crop. A 10km portion of the Chart Thakarn-Borpak Road is under water and three villages are isolated from the outside. The province issued flood warnings for nine districts.

In Phayao, flash flooding hit Phaholyothin Road and the interprovincial highway,causing difficulties for small vehicles. The province issued a flood warning for nine districts.

In the northeastern province of Nong Khai, heavy downpours triggered flooding in the business centre, with some spots flooded almost one metre deep. The provincial electricity authority turned off power for safety, while the provincial bus terminal has been flooded.

In Nakhon Phanom’s Ban Phaeng district, heavy runoff from nearby forests in Phulangka National Park flowed into ten villages. More than 1,000 households are affected and residents moved upstairs in their dwellings along with their valuables. Two schools are closed as a safety precaution. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-08-01

[george]

EMERGENCY MESSAGE

Emergency Message: Heavy Rain and Flooding in Thailand

(August 1, 2011) The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok and U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai alert U.S. citizens in Thailand to the possibility of heavy rain, flooding, and landslides in northern, northeastern, and western central Thailand caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Nock-Ten through Thursday, August 4. Flooding and high seas are expected along the eastern and western coasts. The Thai Meteorological Department has issued a warning for flash floods along hills, near waterways, and in low-lying areas. Media report that airline and rail service have been suspended in some areas due to heavy rain and flooding, while flash floods have caused property damage and power outages. Government hospitals in Thailand’s north and northeast are on standby for flash floods and emergency medical services.

If you are traveling or living in affected areas, you should be alert to the possibility power outages, flash floods, and landslides. Monitor local media to keep up-to-date with the latest information about weather and road conditions in your area. You can see the Thai Meteorological Department’s forecasts and warnings at its website, www.tmd.go.th/en/. If you are traveling by air, bus, or rail, you should check with the transportation company to ensure that the service is still operating. If you are driving somewhere, call ahead to check that roads are passable. If you are affected by the flooding and need urgent assistance, contact the Thai Government’s English-speaking Tourist Police, who can be reached nationwide by dialing 1155.

For the latest security information, you should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website (http://travel.state.gov), where current Worldwide Cautions, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings and health-information resources can be found. You can also obtain up-to-date information on security by calling 1-888-407-4747 (toll free) in the U.S. and Canada or, for callers in other areas, by calling a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time), Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

We encourage you notify us of your presence in Thailand by enrolling in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), available at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/. The American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy (http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/service.html) is located at 95 Wireless Road in Bangkok, and can be reached by calling 66-2-205-4049, or by e-mailing [email protected].

The Embassy’s after-hours emergency telephone number is 66-2-205-4000. The U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai (http://chiangmai.usconsulate.gov/service.html) is located at 387 Wichayanond Road in Chiang Mai. The American Citizen Services Unit of the Consulate General can be reached by calling 66-53-107-777 and by e-mail at [email protected]. The after-hours emergency telephone number is 66-81-881-1878.

-- US Embassy, Bangkok 2011-08-01

[ronthai]

Every year the same old story.

My sympathy goes out to all people who again will be hurt in one way or an other by the floods.

[chooka]

Had a little rain in Chiangmai (Sansai) overnight hasn't rained for hours sun shinning nice day.

[thequietman]

Every year the same old story.

My sympathy goes out to all people who again will be hurt in one way or an other by the floods.

same every year for 8 years now. floods, land submerged. had to use 2 pumps yesterday for the first time in those 8 years to clear water from the rear of my home. guy next door raised the level of his ground by 1 metre. explained to him when he was doing it that he would flood my home as the water couldnt make its way to the river beside him. looked at me and the wife and shrugged his shoulders. mai pen rai, eh. and hes a cop too. our reservoir is still quite empty also. there is no system here to collect and direct these huge amounts of water. but hey, we will always have the submarines to come get us if it gets too bad.

god forbid if they spent some money on flood prevention.

[webfact]

TROPICAL STORM

Nock-Ten causes havoc in north, northeast

By The Nation

Heavy downpours and flooding have continued in many northern and northeastern provinces even through the Nock-Ten tropical storm has already weakened into a low-pressure ridge.

In Phrae, two people went missing in Rongkwang district when their boat capsized during a mission to help flood victims.

Roads in the municipality are under water and flooding at the provincial bus terminal forced vehicles to park outside.

Train services between Bangkok and Chiang Mai were also suspended in the wake of flooding, which has submerged railways in Nan's Long district.

In Mae Hong Son's Pai district, tourists have been evacuated from guesthouses as the floodwater level rises.

In Uttaradit, runoff from nearby forest areas has flooded homes in three subdistricts. Some areas are under two metres of water. Residents moved cars, farming equipment and valuable belongings to higher ground. Many roads are under water and a number of villages have been cut off from the outside world.

As rain continues, residents were forced to move to the second floors of their homes. The provincial disaster response agency warned residents in the foothill areas in the provincial seat, Thasap and Laplae districts to beware of flash flooding. Local authorities are on alert around the clock.

The storm brought flooding to Phistanulok's Bang Rakam district, destroying over 4,000 rai (1,600 acres) of the current paddy rice crop. A 10km portion of the Chart ThakarnBorpak Road is under water and three villages are isolated from the outside. The province issued flood warnings for nine districts.

In Phayao, flash flooding hit Phaholyothin Road and the interprovincial highway, causing difficulties for small vehicles. The province issued a flood warning for nine districts.

In the northeastern province of Nong Khai, heavy downpours triggered flooding in the business centre, with some spots almost one metre deep. The provincial electricity authority turned off power for safety, while the provincial bus terminal has been flooded. Some schools had to close down temporarily.

In Nakhon Phanom's Ban Phaeng district, heavy runoff from nearby forests in Phulangka National Park flowed into ten villages. More than 1,000 households are affected and residents have moved to the upper level of their homes along with their valuables. Two schools are closed as a safety precaution.

-- The Nation 2011-08-01

[Galong]

Pray for the people in northern and northeastern provinces

You can reach Jeebus and the other make-believe gods on Facebook and Twitter.

[uptheos]

Pray for the people in northern and northeastern provinces

Pray to whom?

Some mystical omnipotence who supposed to have the power to prevent these things happening in the first place.

[rich54321]

Heavy rain for nearly 18 hours in Sankhampeang - ChiangMai flooding started about 1400 hours as the torrents of water swept through parts of the rural areas around Sankhampeang

I took these a couple of hours ago

[sirchai]

3 days continuous drizzle in Khon Kaen. No floods yet in town, but won't be long.

No heavy rain in Ubon Ratchathani and Sisaket yet. Let's hope that not too many will have troubles.:jap:

[zzaa09]

Every year the same old story.

My sympathy goes out to all people who again will be hurt in one way or an other by the floods.

same every year for 8 years now. floods, land submerged. had to use 2 pumps yesterday for the first time in those 8 years to clear water from the rear of my home. guy next door raised the level of his ground by 1 metre. explained to him when he was doing it that he would flood my home as the water couldnt make its way to the river beside him. looked at me and the wife and shrugged his shoulders. mai pen rai, eh. and hes a cop too. our reservoir is still quite empty also. there is no system here to collect and direct these huge amounts of water. but hey, we will always have the submarines to come get us if it gets too bad.

god forbid if they spent some money on flood prevention.

Yes, flood prevention.

Seasonal cycles for generations.

It has been said that the most consistent flloding has occurred since advent of cementing everything over, certainly the last 60-70 years.

[mojaco]

Pray for the people in northern and northeastern provinces

Pray to whom?

Some mystical omnipotence who supposed to have the power to prevent these things happening in the first place.

Have you ever said "Good Luck!" to anyone? Is there a "Lady Luck" to help?

[new2thai]

Hi Everyone, I live in Phimai near Korat, Nakhon Ratchasima, we were flooded real bad last year and it sounds like the same will happen again soon !!

I am going up to Udon Thanni tomorrow to do a visa run over at Nong Khai, I have a multi Non "O" and will get another 90 days stamp.

Does anybody living nearby know what the situation is regarding crossing " Friendship Bridge" at Nong Khai ??

Is it still open and if not where / what do I do ?? Also is Udon Thanni flooded yet ??

Thank You, Regards Ray.

[jackr]

Countinuous heavy rain in chiang mai since yesterday afternoon, can't be long before there's flooding. Pai already flooding...

It's not that heavy. It's just a depression moving in.

That's why it's called the rainy season.

No flooding; not in Chiang Mai town anyway other than when some drains get clogged, so very localized puddles of standing water before it drains away.

Actually it was the arse end of a major tropical storm and was heavy enough to flood our entire moobaan through nearby canals - Mae Jo area. Worst I've seen in 8 years up here from a few days of rain (currently lapping at the back door - never had that), including the 2005 floods, so I'd be surprised if the town doesn't struggle. In any case, how's about giving the all-knowing, been-there-got-the-T-shirt dross a rest? We all know it's the rainy season.

[SouthernMan3]

Pray for the people in northern and northeastern provinces

I will.

We down south know how they feel as we got nailed big time last year !

Contrary to popular belief many Southerners love our Northern countryfolk neighbors.

We are all Thai (or ex-pats, as the case may be).

Last year I did 120,000 bht. bourijaak.

I'm sure that some Northerners will do the same for their local neighbors.

Edited August 1, 2011 by SouthernMan3

[thaiedward]

With regard to religiosity or a lack-thereof, permit me to share a quote from T.H. Huxley's reflections on Buddhism (a one-sentence paragraph):

"Buddhism is a system which knows no God in the Western-sense, which denies a soul to man, which counts the belief in immortality a blunder, which refuses any efficacy to prayer and sacrifice, which bids men to look to nothing but their own efforts for salvation

which, in its original purity, knew nothing of vows of obedience and never sought the aid of a secular arm; yet [which] spread over a considerable moiety of the world with marvelous rapidity and is still the dominant creed of a large fraction of mankind."

TIT! Let's improve both ourselves and everyone around us irrespective of our credos. The best of ways to help ourselves is realized while we help others. So I think.

Regards