Mekong’s banks at bursting point as deluge continues
More provinces along the Mekong River in the North and the Northeast are being alerted to brace for possible burst riverbanks and flooding as rain continues to pour down in upper Thailand.
At particular risk are people living along the Mekong’s banks in the northern province of Chiang Rai where the water continues to rise and has already flooded homes and government offices.
The water level in Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong districts rose to about 7 metres yesterday. The level will become critical when it reaches 10 metres.
Tassanai Suthapol, chief of Chiang Khong district, said emergency response plans are now in place and authorities are ready to evacuate residents if necessary.
Riverbank communities have been told to move their belongings to higher ground while those further inland and in mountainous areas, in particular, are urged to be aware of landslides and water runoff.
According to Mr Tassanai, the rising water in the Mekong is being caused not only by the continual ran but also by water discharge from a dam in China. Local authorities are coordinating closely with the Marine Department to monitor the water level, he said.
Four districts in Ubon Ratchathani — Khemarat, Khong Chiam, Na Tan and Pho Sai — have been flooded while Si Muang Mai district has been warned of possible floods.
Mukdahan in the Northeast is another province vulnerable to burst riverbanks after the water level in the Mekong rose to 12.32 metres, a little shy of the critical level of 12.5 metres in that part of the river.
Provincial governor Paitoon Rakprathet said a flood warning has been issued in three districts of Muang, Don Tan and Wan Yai and red flags have been set up at locations where overflows are anticipated.
In Loei province, the water level in the Mekong in the districts of Chiang Khan and Pak Chom continues to rise and is expected to reach 13.15 metres today while the critical level is set at 14.5 metres.
In Kalasin, floodwater in several areas in Khao Wong and Na Khu districts rose by 30cm yesterday and inundated almost 2,000 rai of farmland.
The flooding is caused by water runoff from Huay Yang stream in the neighbouring province of Sakon Nakhon together with persistent rain which caused Lam Phayang reservoir to overflow.
In Nakhon Phanom, residents of Na Kae district are have been told to move their belongings to higher ground after the Nam Kam River burst its banks.
Some 200 houses in tambon Piman of Na Kae district are at risk if the rain continues.
Moreover, the Royal Irrigation Department has warned it may have to discharge more water from Kaeng Krachan dam in Phetchaburi.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith has expressed confidence the Sakon Nakhon provincial airport will be spared from flooding due to precautions that have been taken.
Speaking after inspecting the airport’s anti-flood measures, he said a special task force known as “One Transport” is up and running and monitoring the situation.
The Sakon Nakhon airport was temporarily shut down due to floods last year.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has ordered provincial disaster prevention and mitigation offices in 59 provinces across the country to be ready for action.
Department chief Chayaphol Thitisak said heavy downpours had recently hit several provinces in the North, the Northeast and the Central Plains which might trigger overflowing, flooding and landslides in atrisk areas.
Authorities in 59 out of 77 provinces are on high alert.
The Meteorological Department yesterday warned that outbreaks of rain and isolated heavy downpours are forecast in the North, the Northeast, the Central, the East and the South today.
People living in vulnerable areas were told to watch for flash floods.