Chiang Rai and Northern Thailand Put on Alert for Flooding as Widespread Thunder Showers Expected

 

CHIANG RAI – The Meteorological Department Director-General Wanchai Sakudomchai has indicated that up to 60-70 percent of the country can expect thunder showers this week with particularly heavy rains expected in the Northern Provinces.

The Meteorological Department has forecasted very heavy rains for Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phayao, Phrae, Nan, Uttaradit, Rayong, Chantaburi, Trat, Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Trang and Satun.

The Mekong River has already overflowed its embankments in Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, and Mukdahan while Bueng Kan and Khong Chiam district in Ubon Ratchathani are also at risk.

The Office of National Water Resources Deputy Secretary-General and Director of the Temporary Crisis Center Samroeng Saengphuwong, today confirmed that widespread rains have added a large amount of water to rivers in the north, northeast and east of the country.

Citizens are urged to follow RID announcements, especially if they are living beside a river.

Meanwhile, The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has made preparations to handle a large mass of water expected from the north as heavy rains are expected across 60-70 percent of the country this week.

RID Director-General Thongplew Kongchan reported today that rains in the north have swelled the Chao Phraya River with its level significantly higher now in Nakhon Sawan and Chainat provinces. RID Office 12 has been told to disperse the water into canals and waterways as much as possible, to maintain the rate of water passing through Chao Phraya Dam at 820 cubic meters per second.

By Itiporn Lakarnchua