Five provinces of Thailand warned of flashflood, mudslide

BANGKOK, 1 September 2011 (NNT) – The 24/7 Emergency Operation Center for Flood, Storm and Landslide has warned five provinces of possible flash flood and mudslide while four others are instructed to brace for overflows of rivers.

Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Chatpong Chatphuti, in his capacity as Deputy Director of the 24/7 Emergency Operation Center for Flood, Storm and Landslide, reported that the flood situation in 28 provinces had already improved.

However, eight other provinces, consisting of Sukhothai, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Chai Nat and Ubon Ratchathani, remain inundated. The death toll from floods has reached 55 while over 3.37 million rai of farmland has been damaged.

As rain persists in the Lower North and Upper Northeast, Mr Chatpong pointed out that flashflood and mudslide could be seen over the next two days in five provinces, comprising Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Loei, Nan and Chiang Rai.

In addition, four provinces in the Lower Chao Phraya River Basin, namely Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong and Ayutthaya, are at risk of an overflow of the river. Therefore, Mr Chatpong urged local residents to monitor the situation closely and be prepared for an evacuation.