Provinces along Mekong River on alert for overflows

BUENG KAN, 2 September 2014 (NNT) – Rising water levels in the Mekong River have prompted authorities in nearby provinces, including Bueng Kan and Nakhon Phanom, to be on the lookout for possible overflows of the river.

As a consequence of incessant heavy rain and a large volume of runoff from Nong Khai province and Laos, the Mekong River in Bueng Kan province has seen its water level climb to only 2 meters below the banks. Even though the latest water level measurement of 9.87 meters is not yet considered critical, strong currents have caused erosion of the banks in many areas outside the flood barriers.

The rising water and fast currents have made fishing as well as ferry operations between Thailand and Laos more difficult. The local disaster prevention and mitigation office is encouraging all to exercise extreme caution while in the river during this period.

Meanwhile, in the nearby province of Nakhon Phanom further downstream, the water level is standing at about 8 meters, well below the banks still. However, disaster prevention staff have notified local residents to keep an eye on the water situation from today until September 6, during which more torrential rains are expected.

Areas at high risk of flooding include the riverside districts of Mueang, Tha Uthen and Ban Phaeng. Locals are urged to be prepared for flood disasters.


-- NNT 2014-09-02

Maybe a bit due to the rain but a lot due to Chinese dams upstream.

Floods continue in many northern Thai provinces
By Digital Content

CHIANG MAI, Sept 2 -- Flooding remains in many provinces in Thailand's North including Chiang Mai and Lampang while post-flood rehabilitation has yet to start in Chiang Rai province.

In Lampang, Ban Mae Kong Nua and Ban Mae Tam Tai villages in Ban Pao sub-district of the provincial seat were 30-100 centimeters under water due to heavy rains last night. Floodwater wiped out villagers' belongings and poultry.

In Chiang Mai, heavy rains last night flooded Chiang Mai municipality.

Local workers are pumping floodwater out of the provincial seat while local authorities warned of more flooding as widespread rains are predicted to continue there until Sunday.

Flood-prone areas are identified as Mae On, Doi Saket, Samoeng, Fang, Mae Ai, Chai Prakan, Chiang Dao, Omkoi and Mae Chaem districts.

In Chiang Rai, Wichai Jirachatmongkol, Phaya Mengrai district chief, said that damage caused by floods in Ban Mai Suksan village of Tadkhwan sub-district last week was the worst in 50 years.

Homes, school buildings, roads and tap water and electricity systems were substantially damaged. The authorities said that rehabilitation will follow the damage surveys.

Chiang Rai authorities reported that from last Friday floods affected 2,500 families in ten districts and killed two people. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-09-02

Better tie up the floating rosewood, and batten them down, before they float away to unknown locations.

Maybe a bit due to the rain but a lot due to Chinese dams upstream.

Why is that?