Phetchaburi locals brace for flooding

Dam release expected to inundate several villages

PHETCHABURI: Communities along the Phetchaburi River have been told to brace for major floods after a dam started to release massive amounts of water.

The water discharge is part of a plan to divert flooding before it hits Muang municipality, where schools and hospitals are located.

Since Monday, the province and nearby areas have been hit by heavy rain that has sent a substantial amount of water into Phetchaburi dam.

The provincial irrigational department has gradually diverted water into the river so the dam can absorb more of an expected downpour.

The dam yesterday released 350 cubic metres per second of water into the Phetchaburi River, according the Phetchaburi Water Transmission and Maintenance Project.

The flood release amount is considered to be high. Since Monday, the department had already discharged 290cu m per second to downstream areas of the river, to flush down the floodwater into the Gulf of Thailand.

Waterfront villagers, particularly in Muang and Ban Laem districts, were warned to move their belongings to higher ground.

The report said Nong Ya Plong and Tha Yang districts were also hit by flash floods which inundated houses and farmland yesterday.

Thongplew Kongchan, deputy director-general of Royal Irrigation Department, yesterday said the water release was expected to prevent sudden and mass floods in Muang district.

The department, he said, has ordered state agencies such as the provincial office to be prepared.

Heavy rains prompted the Kaeng Krachan National Park to temporarily close two tourist attractions: Khao Phanoen Thung and Pa La U waterfall, because strong currents could lead to flash floods and accidents.

In Tha Yang district, the Canal Garden Resort was evacuated yesterday after it was flooded on Tuesday.

After the floodwaters relented, the rescue team returned and evacuated the resort. The province warned nearby resorts to move guests and employees out as soon as possible.

Phetchaburi governor Chatporn Rasdusadee said plans for dealing with the floods have been rolled out as the dam started releasing water.

He said the province deployed several teams to monitor the flood situation and give updates to villagers so the public will be prepared.

Rescue teams and paramedic units have been told to stand by.

Twenty-six water pumps and 28 devices to push water were installed in flood-affected zones while 40 boats were deployed to provide assistance for flood-ravaged victims, he said.

Sandbags and an evacuation centre were also provided in the Phetchaburi municipality to brace for the expected flooding.

In Ratchaburi, 15 households at Ban Yang Hak in Pak Tho district were cut off after a community road and bridge were damaged by flash floods due to heavy rain which has pounded the province for the past two days.

The structures were repaired by local authorities yesterday.

According to local authorities, four flood-ravaged districts are Pak Tho, Ban Kha, Chom Bung and Suan Phung.

In Pak Tho district, the water level in Thai Pracha reservoir yesterday fell by 1.3 metres after water was discharged into local watercourses since Tuesday night.