Severe flooding hits 60.000 provinces in Thailand, affecting more than XNUMX households
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) reported severe flooding affecting ten provinces in Thailand on September 14. A total of 33 districts, 160 subdistricts and 733 villages have been affected, endangering more than 60.000 households. The worst-affected provinces are Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Tak, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok and Phetchabun, where authorities are continuing to provide assistance to residents to support them in these difficult circumstances.
In the province Chiang Rai Six districts have been severely affected, including Mae Sai and Chiang Khong, where more than 45.000 households are suffering from the effects of the floods. Unfortunately, landslides in Mae Fa Luang district have claimed four lives and injured two people. Although water levels are slowly receding, rescue and relief operations continue unabated.
Also Mae Hong Son is experiencing landslides and flooding due to the Salween River bursting its banks. Although 78 households have been affected, fortunately there have been no reports of injuries. Here too, the water level is steadily decreasing, while emergency services remain active.
In Yes four districts have been severely affected, with more than 720 households facing flooding. At the same time, in S, mainly in Kong Krailat district, 361 households were affected. Also Phitsanulok is suffering from flooding, with three districts and 576 households facing severe flooding. In all these areas, efforts are underway to distribute relief supplies and drain the water quickly.
Phetchabun is now experiencing some improvement as water levels in two hard-hit districts are slowly decreasing, although 49 households still need assistance.
In the northeast, rising water levels of the Mekong River for problems in the provinces Nong Khai en Loei. In Nong Khai, flooding has affected five districts, mainly damaging farmland. Although no casualties have been reported, water levels are still rising, causing great concern. In Loei, seven households have been affected by the flooded Mekong River, with no injuries reported.
Central Thailand, especially the provinces Ang Thong en Ayutthaya, has also been hit by flooding due to rising Chao Phraya River. In Ang Thong, 346 households in three subdistricts have been affected, while in Ayutthaya, as many as 12.000 households have been affected by flooding. Fortunately, water levels in these regions remain stable, and relief efforts are underway.
De DDPM coordinates relief efforts in all affected areas, with national and local governments working together to deploy resources and personnel. In Tak, the 35th Border Patrol Unit has provided relief supplies and boats to reach flooded areas. In S both the public and private sectors contribute to the delivery of essential relief supplies, while in Phitsanulok The Royal Charitable Foundation has provided relief supplies, food and drinking water to affected families.
Temporary water management centres, under the management of the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR), have been set up in northern and central Thailand to manage the ongoing water crisis. Emergency teams also remain on standby in the northeast to respond, especially as water levels on the Mekong River are expected to continue to rise.
De Chao Phraya Dam has reduced the water discharge to 1.150 cubic meters per second, helping to reduce flooding in downstream areas. Meanwhile, water levels of the Mekong River are expected to rise significantly between September 12 and 18, especially in Nong Khai, where a rise of 3,5 to 3,9 meters is predicted. Flooding of up to 2,5 meters is expected. Provinces such as Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen en Ubon Ratchathani will also experience rising water levels, but these are expected to remain below critical levels.
There is a weather alert issued for heavy rain from September 14 to 17, which will mainly affect northeastern, central, eastern and southern Thailand. Flooding and landslides are expected, especially in low-lying and mountainous areas. Waves in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand are expected to reach heights of 2-3 meters, with even stronger waves in stormy areas. Sailors are advised to exercise caution.
Residents in all affected areas are urged to remain vigilant and follow the instructions of authorities as relief efforts continue and the flood situation hopefully stabilises.
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Known as Khun Peter (62), lives alternately in Apeldoorn and Pattaya. In a relationship with Kanchana for 14 years. Not yet retired, have my own company, something with insurance. Crazy about animals, especially dogs and music.
Enough hobbies, but unfortunately little time: writing for Thailandblog, fitness, health and nutrition, shooting sports, chatting with friends and some other oddities.
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What a disaster, even parts of the country where not much rain has fallen, but where large rivers such as the Mekong have their catchment area, can be faced with such a river water discharge that this mighty river overflows its banks and can still cause a lot of nuisance.
After all, the Mekong is the border river between Thailand and Laos for quite a few kilometers.
Nong Khai is already quite flooded.
Gr. Arno