Northern provinces reel under severe floods
By The Nation
Published on August 14, 2010
Floods ravaged through many provinces in the country yesterday as a tropical storm hovered over the Andaman Sea.
In Chiang Mai, runoff water from mountains sent floodwater to the Chiang Mai Hang Dong road making it impassable to vehicles for several hours. Floodwater rose over 50 centimetres in the early morning.
As of press time, seriously inundated local roads also made it impossible for cars to reach Sri Ping Mueang and Pratu Korm communities.
In another northern province, Uttaradit, up to four tambons were declared disaster hit zones because of severe flooding. They were tambons Phai Lom, Mae Pool, Fai Luang and Si Phanommas.
Uttaradit Governor Yothin Samutkhiri handed out 500 sets of relief items to flood victims in these tambons.
More than 10,000 sacks were also handed out alongside sand for locals to form sandbags against floodwater.
"This is the 22nd time my house was flooded this year," Pan Innum lamented.
Uttaradit disaster prevention and mitigation chief Surachai Tatchakawin said heavy downpours still blanketed over most parts of the province.
"In the worst hit spots, floodwater is more than 1.5 metres deep," he said, "My wife and I are about to die of stress".
Phitsanulok disaster prevention and mitigation chief Boonying Khumsuphan, meanwhile, warned locals in Noen Maprang, Nakhon Thai, Chat Trakan, Wang Thong and Wat Bote districts to beware of possible landslides.
In Sakon Nakhon, floodwater damaged crops in so many paddy fields and farms.
"All 14 rai of my farm are now under water," Chu Nusa complained.
In Sukhothai, it was reported that flooding already ravaged 2,100 rai of farmland because the Yom River overflowed.
In a related development, thousands of Ranong residents complained that the rising seawater level during the past few days had damaged their homes and property.
Zaidol Yapha, a village head, said yesterday that locals were now frightened. Many people have evacuated to higher ground for fear that a storm surge might hit.
Northern provInces reel under severe floods
