Weather forecasters are paying very close attention to the rising water level of the Mekong River, which increases the flood risk in northern provinces nearby.
The Meteorological Department said the Mekong situation dominated the daily morning meeting on Thursday amid continued rain throughout the week in the northern and northeastern regions.
The water level of the river was down slightly or stable in the northern region but it has started to surge in northeastern areas downstream.
The reading in Nakhon Phanom was 12.01 metres on Thursday, up from 11.98m on Wednesday, data compiled by the Water Resource Department showed. The river rose by 14cm to 12.28m when it reached Mukdahan and was up by 21cm to 14.32m in Khong Chiam district of Ubon Ratchathani, it added.
Although the Mekong passed its crisis point of 12m in Nakhon Phanom for the first time this year, officials on Thursday expressed confidence that the downtown and economic centre in Muang district would not be inundated, as its floodwall could handle water levels up to 15m.
Pumps have been installed to drain floodwater back to the river in case rain worsens the situation and makes the Mekong burst its banks, the office said.
Some farmland in three districts in Nakhon Phanom — Na Wa, Tha Uthen and Si Songkhram — was flooded as three tributaries could not flow into the Mekong, it added.
