Residents of 10 lower Central provinces have been warned to brace for heavy rain from today until Thursday, and for high tides that may trigger river overflows and floods in low-lying areas on Oct 9 and 10.
Chatchai Promlert, director-general of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, yesterday asked department staff in the 10 provinces to remain extra vigilant and warn residents about possible river overflows and flooding.
The 10 provinces and at-risk districts are Chai Nat (Manorom, Muang and Sapphaya districts); Sing Buri (In Buri, Bang Rachan, Muang, Khai Bang Rachan and Phrom Buri); Ang Thong (Muang and Pa Mok); Lop Buri (Chai Badan, Phattana Nikhom and Tha Wung); Saraburi (Wang Muang, Kaeng Khoi, Muang and Sao Hai); Ayutthaya (Maha Rat, Tha Rua, Nakhon Luang, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phak Hai, Sena, Bang Sai and Ban Pa-in); Suphan Buri (Doembang Nangbuat, Sam Chuk, Si Prachan, Muang, Bang Pla Ma and Song Phi Nong); Pathum Thani (Muang and Sam Khok); Nonthaburi (Muang and Pak Kret); and Samut Prakan (Phra Pradaeng and Phra Samut Chedi).
In Samut Prakan, flooding triggered by hours of heavy downpours on Friday night ravaged many areas in Muang district. Several main roads were under 20-30 centimetres of water.
A section of Sukhumvit Road at the Phuchao Saming Prai intersection was still inundated on Saturday morning. Small vehicles passing through the area moved slowly, causing traffic congestion.
Water pumps were deployed to drain the affected areas and conditions were expected to improve in the afternoon.
In Trang, flash floods hit five districts from Friday night until yesterday morning. Continuous heavy rain pounded Muang, Kantang, Yan Ta Khao, Palian and Na Yong districts, causing widespread flooding in many areas of the southern province.
Although that rain has stopped, shops, houses and many roads remained inundated on Saturday morning. Large areas of farmland were damaged.
In Muang district, run-off from Champa mountain flooded northern and eastern areas of Trang. Many residents were caught off-guard as the areas had not experienced flooding before. Roads including Ploenpitak, Wichetkul and Tha Klang were under 50-70cm of water and about 300 households were affected.
Kriangsak Rattanasimanon, acting mayor of Muang municipality, said the sudden onset of the floods meant residents had no time to move their belongings. Most never thought their properties would be hit.
Municipal staff were sent to help evacuate people from badly hit areas and distribute relief items to affected households.
As long as there is no rain on Sunday, conditions should improve, said the acting mayor.
Mr Kriangsak said the floods had been triggered by heavy downpours which lashed many areas in the province for up to four hours.
