Nation put on alert as Bebinca nears

Tropical storm Bebinca, which made landfall in Vietnam and triggered severe floods in Nan province, will continue to drench Thailand as it is expected to hit Laos today.

With heavy rainfall in almost all areas of the province overnight, Nan is bearing the brunt of the storm as disaster mitigation officials and soldiers rushed to help evacuate hundreds of flood victims from 11 villages in Santisuk district yesterday. Homes in these villages were submerged under 1.8 metres of water after the Muap River overflowed. The area is on alert as landslides and more rain was expected.

Downpours were also reported in other regions where officials are struggling to deal with overflow from Kaeng Krachan dam in Phetchaburi and Nam Un dam in Sakon Nakhon. Officials are also closely monitoring the Khiri Than reservoir in Chanthaburi where the water level has reached 99% of its capacity as well as the Vajiralongkorn dam in Kanchanaburi, Khun Dan Prakan Chon dam in Nakhon Nayok, and Ratchaprapa dam in Surat Thani which saw water levels pass 86% of their capacity.

The Meteorological Department yesterday warned the North, the Northeast, the East, the Central Plains, and the South of the country about the impact of Bebinca this weekend.

In Chanthaburi, the Khiri Than reservoir must be kept under close watch as the eastern province is expected to experience two days of continuous rainfall.

However, the situation will get better by tomorrow when rain eases in some regions, the department said.

Bebinca, with a wind speed of 65 kilometres per hour, crossed northern Vietnam yesterday, about 400km away from Nan. It is moving west and is expected to be downgraded to a depression and low pressure system when it hits Laos today.

In Santisuk district, parts of the Nan-Santisuk and Don Chai roads became impossible to pass as a result of high floodwater.

In Trat’s Khao Saming district, floodwater began to recede in some areas in tambon Sato yesterday after there was no run-off from the neighbouring district of Bo Rai, officials said.

However, the situation remains volatile as the coastal province was warned by the Meteorological Department of more rainfall today and tomorrow.