Downpours hamper Thai border provinces

Downpours hamper Thai border provinces
By Digital Content



SI SA KET, Aug 6 -- Many provinces near the Thai-Cambodian border are closely monitoring the water level in their areas, for fear of flash floods, as rainfall continue to accumulate, hiking the water levels.

Si Sa Ket province has temporary closed off access to the Wang Yai Waterfall as a safety precaution.

Panom Dong Rak Wildlife Conservation head Chatchawan Intumarn has coordinated with Wang Yai Forest Protection Unit authorities in charge of overseeing the Wang Yai Waterfall to temporary close off the tourist spot during the continuous downpours to ensure safety for tourists.

According to the official, the relentless rainfall in the Panom Dong Rak Mountain range have caused the water level at the waterfall to rise and creating stronger water currents. The waterfall would remain to be closed until the water level returns to normal.

Chiang Mai provincial governor Suriya Prasarnbandit, meanwhile, ordered stricter surveillance of rainfall in the province, especially in the 10 districts in the northern region of the province most at risk of flash flood due to the continuing downpours.

The governor has reiterated to the Chiang Mai Office of Natural Resources and Environment to inspect risk prone tourist destinations with national parks and waterfalls to ensure that the locations were still safe for visitors.

In the meantime, Soi Dao district head in Chantaburi province, Pinet Lertkhemkat, has been closely observing the water level in the Soi Dao mountain range, which is the main water source for many rivers within the eastern region of Thailand.

He said the water level at the Soi Dao Waterfall has risen considerable due to the endless rainfall. He then asked the local administration offices to warn local residents of flash floods as water level in the area's Klong Pa Tong canal has been increasing for the past few days. (MCOT online news)

[tna]2014-08-06[/tna]