Flash Floods Reported In North, Northeastern Areas

[george]

Flash floods reported in northeastern areas

LOEI: -- Flash floods have been occuring in scattered areas of this province and elsewhere in Thailand's northeastern region, though no major damage has been reported so far.

High water damaged a number of homes in Chiangkhan District, while the Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rain and flash floods in varied at-risk areas in the country's North and Northeast.

Somkiart Wongla, chairman of Tambon Tat Administrative Organization, said on Monday that incessant rain in Loei, particularly in Chiangkhan District, together with mountainous geography had led to the flash floods being triggered in Ban Phapod and Ban Songpuay in Tat Sub-district.

Six homes were damaged, along with 20 fish ponds and some farmlands.

The authorities are monitoring the flood potential around the clock and will evacuate villagers in case of emergency, Mr. Somkiart said.

Assistance from several agencies is returning the situation to normal.

Local meteorological center director Kampan Butraraj said recent heavy downpours of rain in the Northeast were caused by a low pressure trough across the country's north and northeastern regions and by the southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea.

As a result, villagers in at-risk areas should beware of the possibility of heavy rain and flash floods.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department on Tuesday issued a warning for heavy rain in the next few days in six northern and northeastern provinces, including Phitsanulok, Uttaradit, Phichit, Sukhothai, Yasothon and Ubon Ratchathani.

--TNA 2006-08-29