Flood fatality body recovered

The body of a woman swept away in a torrential flood four days ago in tambon Phuka of Nan’s Pua district was recovered 50km downstream yesterday as more heavy downpours were forecast for the North and Northeast in the coming days.

The body of Fuey Inpa, 55, was found in Ban Sala after the woman was believed to have slipped and fallen into water runoff from the mountain as she was returning home from farming last Friday.

A search party went out to look for the woman. However, they were hampered by bad weather and strong water currents.

Upon discovery of the body, police called Fuey’s husband, Ta Inpa, 58, to identify her. The man confirmed the body was that of his wife.

Nan is one of the upper northern provinces ravaged by floods triggered by continued heavy rain over the past several days.

In Uttaradit, a local leader has complained to the government claiming landfill work allegedly carried out by Uttaradit Rajabhat University obstructed a canal, contributing to flash floods in at least three tambons of Muang district.

Paiboon Promnoi, a kamnan of tambon Kung Tapao, filed a petition with the government’s Damrongtham complaint centre demanding the canal be dredged and widened to increase its capacity to hold water and speed up water flow, according to Prasong Uraiwan, the Muang district chief.

Mr Paiboon submitted the petition on behalf of residents in the three tambons affected by frequent flash floods.

The kamnan noted that after the landfill was completed, flash floods occurred more quickly and frequently in the area. He said it was important to restore the natural watercourse in the canal which may have been altered by the landfill so water can be drained away faster.

Mr Paiboon said the floods have devastated the rice fields of local farmers.

Meanwhile, the weather bureau has forecast more rain for the North and Northeast, brought on by a topical depression over the South China Sea, as the flood-swollen Mekong River hit its peak level for the year in Nong Khai yesterday.

Wanchai Sakudomchai, director-general of the Meteorological Department, said the depression had moved from the Gulf of Tonkin and made landfall in southern China about 7am.

It would spread rain over the North and the Northeast, with heavy deluges likely in some areas. Mr Wanchai also warned of danger from possible flash floods and runoff.