Chinese dam in Mekong threatens Chiang Rai
Flooding threatens in Chiang Rai now that the Chinese Jinghong dam, upstream in the Mekong, has started to discharge more water. Residents of Chiang Saen district have been advised by the Marine Department to prepare for an immediate evacuation.
On Friday, the water level in the Mekong was 5,5 meters, but as a result of the Chinese decision plus heavy rain showers, 30 cm has now been added. The 1st Regional Marine Office in Chiang Rai expects the Chinese to increase the water outflow from the dam even further.
Two villages in Chiang Saen have already been flooded. In other parts of the district, panic spread over reports of water discharge from China. The village chiefs in the district have been instructed to keep a close eye on the river. When the Mekong's water level rises to 7,3 meters, flooding is inevitable, says Rangsan Kwangmaungderm, senior assistant district chief.
Mae sai
In the border town of Mae Sai, trade has started again on the border market. Border traffic was forced to come to a halt on Thursday, but the situation seems to have improved since then. Nevertheless, the residents expect new floods because the rain on the Myanmar border continues to pour from the sky.
Typhoon Kalmaegi
Typhoon Kalmaegi has damaged 77 villages in 8 provinces, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation says. These are Prachin Buri, Trat, Ranong, Bung Kan, Nan, Sa Kaeo, Chiang Rai and Kalasin. The situation has now returned to normal.
Elsewhere
Lower parts of Sukothai province, Phichit and Phitsanulok with a total of 103 villages are still under water. In Sena and Pak Hai (Ayutthaya), the rising waters of the Chao Phraya caused flooding: 441 houses were affected.
Twenty thousand chicks drowned in Klong Thom (Krabi). The water also damaged ten homes, palm and rubber trees.
The water reservoirs in Nakhon Ratchasima province received much-needed replenishment. The Lampraloeng reservoir is now 33 percent full, Lamtakong 46 percent, Lam Sae 63 percent and Moon Boon 72 percent.
(Source: Bangkok Post, Sept. 21, 2014)
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