Third Case Of Subsidence Hits Riverside Villagers In Ang Thong

[Lite Beer]

Third case of subsidence hits riverside villagers in Ang Thong

The Nation on Sunday

ANG_THONG: -- Land subsidence two metres deep and 15 metres long was discovered recently on a road near a bank of the Chao Phraya River in Ang Thong - the third occurrence in the province in recent weeks.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday warned people living near the banks of rivers and canals at risk of subsidence to beware, while some of them had already been evacuated safer places.

The subsidence occurred on a stretch of road in Chaiyo that had already been repaired with concrete a week after an earlier subsidence.

A local resident said he saw the road gradually subside. It had been at a depth of two metres and 15 metres long for three days.

Meanwhile, officials from the Mineral Resources Department went to Ang Thong's Muang district to investigate the causes of earlier land subsidence with a depth of 4.25m length of 500m.

Ang Thong governor declared the area a disaster zone and a budget was allocated to provide 1,700 foundation piles to repair damaged residences.

Yingluck quoted the department as saying saturated soil along the rivers and canals could subside normally.

As a long-term measure, she ask people living in subsidence-risk areas to consider moving to safer areas.

The premier added that the government planned to build embankments along the river.

The government would rush to put up 3,000 check dams, grow vetiver grass and have local people living upstream along rivers take part in forest preservation to reduce the quantity of runoff and slow its flow into downstream areas. It would encourage and provide them financial support to grow more trees this year. They would be allowed to take seedlings from forests legally to sow and plant, according to her.

In related news, runoff from forests damaged many residences in several villages in Tha Takiap district of Chachoengsao Friday night.

No one has been reported missing as of press time yesterday.

Some concrete residences were found cracked and subsided.

Floodwater receded in three to four hours.

With concern about more flooding in Krabi's Muang district after days of heavy rains, flood and landslide prevention volunteers have checked flood warning devices and surveyed canals and many risky areas in the province in preparation for possible floods and landslides.

Floods caused damage to the district in the middle of last month.

Authorities are also monitoring the situations in Nuea Klong, Klong Thom, Ao Luek and Khao Phanom districts in this province.

-- The Nation 2012-07-08

[MEL1]

They need to put bitumen on everything. It's the saviour.

-mel.

[rakman]

Sounds like the riverbank failing. Article doesn't say where the road is, just near the river. If the road is on the levee, then it could be a serious problem.

[hellodolly]

What ever they do don't tell Thaksin he will try to build an airport there.

[allan michaud]

"As a long-term measure, she ask people living in subsidence-risk areas to consider moving to safer areas."

I am sure people will be rushing to buy their land so they can afford to move somewhere safer.