All areas in upper Thailand are being warned of a period of highly volatile weather, including torrential rain and stormy winds, set to strike today and tomorrow.
In its weather forecast issued yesterday, the Thai Meteorological Department advised residents in most parts of the North and the Central Plains, including Bangkok and the surrounding provinces, that the severe weather conditions were the consequences of a high pressure area meeting a hot and humid weather system during this period.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, however, warned all 33 provinces -- nine in the North, eight in the Northeast, 11 in the Central Plains and five in the East -- about a possible tropical storm containing strong winds and heavy rain, and told them to prepare for frequent deluges that may last until Thursday.
Department director-general Chayapol Thitisak said his team is now carrying out round-the-clock surveillance in the cautioned areas so that they can respond immediately to any problems that may arise.
According to Mr Chayapol, 18 provinces have been hit by the depression and increased water release from the Chao Phraya barrage from Oct 10-21, which have affected 256,430 people in 103,268 households. There were seven deaths in connection with the floods.
Anyone affected by a natural disaster is being advised to call the department's hotline number -- 1748 -- for help, he said, adding that water pumps are being installed in several flood-prone areas, especially in important business zones, to assist with water drainage.
The levels of water in Chao Phraya River and its branches were reportedly stable on Saturday despite an average rise of 20cm, but the floods in the Northeast are intensifying, said Mr Chayapol.
The water in Chi River in the lower part of Khon Kaen province's Muang district suddenly rose by 9.15 metres yesterday afternoon, compared to the levels measured at the same time on Friday, said a local source.
The incident was blamed on the heavy rain that continued from Friday night until yesterday morning and the arrival of flood runoff coming from neighbouring Chaiyaphum province, said the same source.
At least 25 houses and more than 1,500 rai of farmland near the Chi River in Ban Nong Pla Kheng of Khon Kaen were flooded suddenly, and water levels are continuing to rise, said Prasit Tatinij, deputy mayor of the tambon Tha Phra municipality.
The village is part of this municipality and the first area of this tambon of Khon Kaen to be affected by the river's runoff, he said, adding that the flood has prompted an evacuation and a warning to more communities who are expected to later be affected as the excess water passes through their areas.
Obervers in the area said the water levels continue to rise by the hour.
Kalasin province, which is receiving excess water flowing in from Khon Kaen, yesterday began experiencing some minor incidents of flooding, including a flood on a 1km-long section of road linking two villages in Mahasarakham province.
Kriasorn Kongchalat, Kalasin provincial governor, said the province would remain on high alert for further flooding, adding that officials are prepared for the potential evacuation of affected citizens.
In the northern province of Tak, the flood-damaged Mae Ramat-Ban Tak Road was yesterday almost completely repaired and reopened for cars. Large vehicles remain banned from running on this particular part of the road until further repairs can safely be carried out.
In Phichit province, the dead body of a 12-year-old boy who reportedly drowned two days ago while playing in a river with friends was found and retrieved yesterday after a long search.
Up to nine people, including some children, have been killed in similar drowning incidents in the province this year.
Also in Phichit, the 3rd Army has led a project to turn the old and dry Phichit River into a water detention area. Sluice gates have been opened again to let excess water flow into the river during this period of high water volume.
