Hundreds stranded as water level rises 50cm

Written by Writer on Monday, October 27th, 2008

FLOODING

Hundreds stranded as water level rises 50cm

About 180 families were stranded and 300 houses were under water in Ratchaburi yesterday after water run-off from the Tanaosri mountain range flooded the Phachi river.

The flash flood caught 70 families in tambon Berk Prai and tambon Dantaptago off guard and many ran for their lives to higher ground. They were left stranded without food and water.

The water level was reported to be as high as 50 centimetres in some areas and the level was still rising yesterday after more heavy rain.

In Muang district, about 100,000 rai of agricultural land was damaged, including 20 buildings used to grow mushrooms.

In neighbouring Kanchanaburi, more than 100 houses were inundated.

The water has receded, but tambon Nongpai administration organisation chief Chusak Srisukajorn said authorities were keeping a close watch for possible flash floods.

The Meteorological Department issued a warning yesterday, saying a low pressure system over the Burmese coast would cause torrential rain in Thailand’s West, East, Central region and South.

Provinces prone to flash floods and water run-off from forests include Kanchanaburi, Uthai Thani, Suphan Buri, Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The Irrigation Department warned residents living downstream from the Tabsalao dam in Uthai Thani to move their belongings to high ground and to monitor the water level now that the dam was almost full of water after the recent downpours.

Bangkok Post
Monday October 27, 2008