Chiang Mai declares 15 districts as flood disaster zones

CHIANG MAI, Sept 7 - Residents in the northern province of Chiang Mai have been warned of continued heavy rain, as 15 districts have been declared disaster zones.

Komsan Suwanampa, a Chiang Mai disaster response official, said the province has been affected by heavy rain and flood since the beginning of August. Fifty-one subdistricts in 15 districts have been declared disaster zones, affecting 68,628 households.

Mr Komsan said eight districts are now on alert for possible landslides from continued heavy rain, including Chom Thong, Samoeng, Omkoi, Mae Wang, Sam Kamphaeng, Doi Saket, San Pa Tong and San Sai.

The Chiang Mai provincial seat was flooded this morning in some locations from overnight heavy rain.

Meanwhile, in Tak province, forest runoff hit Umphang district. District chief Suchart Theekasuk asked local administrative officials and border patrol police to help flood-hit residents to move their belongings to higher ground and reported the situation to the governor seeking more relief measures. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-09-07

Tak flooded after two days of heavy rain

TAK , 7 September 2012 (NNT) – A two-day long heavy rain has caused flooding in Tak Province, especially in Aum Pang and Mae Sod, where flashflood rushed through, sweeping tons of stones and soil down from mountain top.

Soils and stones from mountain tops have been swept downhill, blocking Tak-Mae Sod Road at Km. 56 since Thursday night, causing kilometers-long lines of traffic.

Removing the rocks in the middle of the night was difficult as more and more rocks kept sliding down to the road. Authorities could only clear one lane so the vehicles could pass through. They expected it would take a couple of days to remove a number of big rocks, weighing up to 10 tons apiece, from the road.

Meanwhile, flashflood occurred in Aum Pang, overflowing houses, restaurants, and shops. Flashflood continues to ravage Aum Pang for the seconday on Friday. With heavy rain continuing to pour, water levels in local ponds, and rivers are rising. The district authority has already reported the situation to the provincial governor.

-- NNT 2012-09-07

Floods in Northern Thailand Causing Havoc

CityNews – M.L. Panadda Diskul, the governor of Chiang Mai, reported that the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Chiang Mai Provincial Office has received the latest report on the flood crisis. Since 1st August floods have affected 15 districts, 51 sub-districts, 326 Moo Bans and 21,296 families, 68,628 people, and there has been 1 death and 1 injury.

The governor said from 1st – 6th September, there have been floods, flash floods, and landslides in eight districts, 107 Moo Bans, including Chaiprakarn, Wiang Hang, Mae On, Fang, Mae Rim, Phroa, Chiang Dao and Doi Saket.

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