Downpours worsen crisis in much of Northeast
Constant rainfall has caused the Mun River to spill over into Nakhon Ratchasima's Phimai district, swamping the government centre and sending staff at the Phimai National Museum scrambling to set up flood fortifications.
Phimai Police Station, which is situated beside the river, was under 30-60 centimetres of water. Officers had to mobilise 1,000 sandbags to build flood barricades. The Provincial Land Office's branch and a nearby hospital were also hit.
Some residences on both sides of the river were drowning in 50-70cm of water.
Four reservoirs had to discharge excess water.
Kannikar Phatthanaphiradet, mayor of Phimai Municipality, said that to protect the artefacts in the museum, its staff had installed a big pump inside its compound in case they had to drain out flood water.
They also provided 1,000 sandbags to create a barrier and stood shifts to monitor the level of the Mun River next to the museum around the clock.
In Ubon Ratchathani, the governor issued a flood warning and urged locals to move their belongings or valuables to higher places after the level of the Mun River as measured in Muang district increased rapidly or was 9-10cm high. Run-off from Khon Kaen, Si Sa Ket and Kalasin was expected to swell the river in three days.
Heavy rain has inundated some areas in Nakhon Ubon Ratchathani and Warin Chamrap municipalities.
So far, 4,880 households have been evacuated to holding areas in three districts.
In Khon Kaen, Theerasak Theekhayuphan, deputy mayor of Nakhon Khon Kaen Municipality, said the flood, reaching 30cm in some areas, had caused Bt400 million in losses.
"If Ubonrat Dam still releases 50 million cubic metres and it still rains, the flood in the municipality will rise to 50cm and will spread to other areas, including the governor's residence," he said.
The municipality's executives had proposed to the governor that he discuss with his counterpart in Maha Sarakham helping to dig a canal to release water from the Chi River to protect both provinces from flooding.
In Kalasin, rain has filled Lampao Dam to the brim.
The Meteorological Department's forecast for today calls for heavy downpours in Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani.
The Nation
