Major flooding in eastern Thailand (video)

The images are reminiscent of the major floods of 2011, but they show the usual flooding inherent in the rainy season.

In the eastern provinces of Chanthaburi, continuous rain since Monday has flooded large parts; in tambon Trok and on the edges of the city, the water is between 50 cm and a meter. The royal family has provided survival kits.

Residents living along the Chanthaburi River have been asked to bring their belongings to safety. The water level in the river continues to rise as the water pushes in from two sides: the high tide and water coming from Makham and Khao Kitchakut districts.

The floods have claimed two lives so far. An 8-year-old boy was dragged through the water when he tried to grab a flip flop floating in a canal, but he lost his balance and fell into the water. And a man who was fishing in a pond was electrocuted.

In Trat province, officials are trying to keep Trat city center dry. Pumps run continuously to lower the water level in canals. Here too there is a risk that the river will overflow its banks. The districts of Khao Saming and Muang and parts of Bo Rai are under water. In Moo 7 of Ban Thung Krabok (Khao Saming) the water even reached a height of two to three meters.

Nakhon Ratchasima province is also experiencing flooding. It has been raining since Tuesday evening. But in many places the water is already starting to recede. The head of Regional Irrigation 8 dismisses concerns about severe flooding in the province. He says that the five large water reservoirs in the province still have sufficient capacity to collect rainwater.

The Meteorological Department has no good news yet. Heavy rainfall is expected in Nakhon Ratchasima, Chanthaburi, Trat, Ranong and Phangnga. The army mobilized 180 campaigns yesterday to take action in an emergency.

(Source: bangkok mail, July 25, 2013)

[youtube]http://youtu.be/u0X56WM4SOo[/youtube]