Thread: Yingluck to meet governors of nine flood-ravaged provinces

One dead, 10 missing in Uttaradit flash flood, landslide

One dead, 10 missing in Uttaradit flash flood, landslide

วันศุกร์ ที่ 09 ก.ย. 2554



UTTARADIT, Sept 9 - One villager was reported dead, at least ten were injured, and ten others are missing after their village was hit by early morning forest-runoff and a landslide in this northern Thai province.

The Uttaradit provincial disaster service office urgently mobilised rescue teams and military to reach Nam Pai sub-district in Nam Pad district after being alerted that the forest-runoff and landslide cut off some 300 households from the outside world at around 2am.

Initial reports said one person died in the incident but the victim has not yet been identified. Dozens are injured while ten others are still missing.

Surachai Thatchakawin of the disaster response office said the forest-runoff hit the three villages quickly while the villagers were sleeping. No early warning had been issued. One-storey houses were immediately swept away by torrential water and three roads leading to the villages were heavily damaged.

He said that more than 300 households were left without electricity. The village headman has contacted authorities via cellphone, the only available communication channel.

Urgent rescue operations are under way with portable steel bridge units being brought in to reach the stranded villagers, the official said.

The Department of Meteorological on Friday warned of abundant rain over upper Thailand and isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall in the Northeast and the East due to the moderate monsoon Sept 9 to12.

Residents of at-risk areas along foothills across the country should beware of flash floods, including Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Roi Et, Yasothon, Surin, Si Sa Ket, Amnat Charoen, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Chanthaburi and Trat. People in lowlands and riversides in the Central and Eastern regions are urged to be alert to the possibility of flooding during the period. (MCOT online news)

MCOT_Eng MCOT English News

Boat carrying Permanent Secretary for Public Health, other officials, capsizes during flood inspection in Ayuthaya; all are safe

Bangkok Post : 'Worst disaster in 100 years' hits Uttaradit

'Worst disaster in 100 years' hits Uttaradit

• Published: 10/09/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Three people have been killed and 12 others remain missing after their villages were hit by fierce run-off and mudslides in Nam Pat district of Uttaradit, in what was described as the worst disaster to hit the area in a century.


Houses stand precariously after water run-off from the mountains ravaged villages in Nam Pat district of Uttaradit yesterday. BOONNUM KERDKAEW

Authorities said the water run-off occurred about 3am yesterday. It was triggered by a continual heavy downpour which began on Thursday evening.

Trees washed down from the mountains by the run-off slammed into 30 homes in Ban Huay Dua, Ban Ton Khanoon and Ban Huay Kom.

Ban Huay Dua and Ban Ton Khanoon in tambon Nam Phai were hit the hardest.

Fon Thornsaeng, from Ban Ton Khanoon, said the run-off gushed into the homes as villagers ran for their lives.

"Many of us cried for help but there wasn't much anyone could do," she said.

Her two-year-old grandson was pulled from her grasp and swept away by the water. He has not yet been found.

Sanan Maliwong, of the Nam Phai tambon administration organisation, said it was the worst disaster to hit the tambon in 100 years.

The disaster warning system was not working because of a power outage.

"We shouted and fired [gun] shots in the air to warn people," he said.

A woman in her forties was found dead under the debris of a house in Ban Huay Dua yesterday morning.


Public health permanent secretary Paijit Warachit, third from left, manages to stand in the water after the boat that shuttled him to visit flood victims in Bang Ban district of Ayutthaya tipped over. SUNTHORN PONGPAO

In the afternoon, two more bodies, identified as husband and wife Prasit and Prik Indeesri, were retrieved from the same household by rescue workers in Ban Ton Khanoon.

Twelve people were still missing as of last night. The number of injured was not yet known.

Uttaradit governor Yothin Samuttarakhiri said rescue workers, soldiers, police and medics have set up combined emergency units in the devastated villages.

Relief supplies were being delivered by military helicopters, as roads were impassable.

Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit ordered emergency workers to locate the missing within 24 hours.

In Ayutthaya, Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri and permanent secretary for public health Paijit Warachit yesterday failed to convince 75-year-old blind man Phat Khuansomthop to leave his flooded house in Bang Ban district for his own safety.

The man lived alone and insisted on staying despite the first floor of his house being under two metres of water.

Her Majesty the Queen asked Ayutthaya provincial administration about Mr Phat, prompting the officials to try to help him.

While they were leaving the house, however, the boat which Dr Paijit was travelling on with another public health officer and a rower capsized. The three suffered minor injuries and their mobile phones and documents were damaged.

Mr Witthaya said flood conditions have made the presence of snakes more common, and with more people being bitten, the ministry has begun stocking more anti-venom serum.In Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district, 85-year-old Boonchuen Bangbamnet drowned after his tugboat capsized in a whirlpool in the Chao Phraya River in front of Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan.

His wife Thongsuk, 83, was rescued by members of the public.

In Suphan Buri's Bang Pla Ma district, about 367 families living in the Talat Kao Hong community were yesterday evacuated after their homes were flooded.

The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department issued flood and mudslide warnings to mountain-side residents in Trat and Chanthaburi.

Flood death toll rises, more heavy rain over Thailand

Flood death toll rises, more heavy rain over Thailand

วันอาทิตย์ ที่ 11 ก.ย. 2554



BANGKOK, Sept 11 - Thais are bracing for more heavy downpours following those which have already wreaked havoc in many provinces and left more than 80 dead nationwide, and the Meteorological Department warns that most parts of the country will be pounded by heavy to very heavy rains today and tomorrow.

The capital and its vicinity should be prepared for flooding.

Residents living in areas where foothills meet the lowlands, and along waterways, are also warned of possible flash floods.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting the hardest-hit area of Uttaradit's Nampad district, Director-General Wiboon Sanguanpong of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said search teams are racing to locate four missing villagers. So far three corpses--two men and one woman--have been retrieved. About 700 households have been majorly damaged.

Abhisit Vejjajiva, opposition Democrat party leader, and key party executives brought relief supplies donated by the public to help flood victims in the province. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is scheduled to visit the villagers later in the day and will come up with measures to further help them.

In other developments, incessant downpours since Saturday night until Sunday morning raised the water level of the Chao Phraya River additional 5-7 centimetres as the river running through the central provinces of Ang Thong and Ayutthaya.

Maitri Pitinanont, chief of irrigation projects in Ayutthaya, said efforts to drain floodwaters to other fields are under way to help ease hardship of residents along riverbanks. Villagers in Bangban and Sena districts fear that this year's water volume will be much more than last year.

In its latest warning issued on Sunday, the meteorological department urged residents in much of the country to brace themselves for heavy and very heavy downpours as there is an intense monsoon trough lying across the Central, East and Lower Northeast. In addition, the strong southwest monsoon prevailing over the Andaman Sea, the South and the Gulf of Thailand are likely to cause torrential rain and isolated heavy to very heavy rail falls much of the country.

Provinces at risk are Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phetchabun, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket, Roi Et, Mukdahan, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Ubon Ratchathani, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi and Satun, according to the announcement.

Strong winds and waves in the Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf of Thailand are likely to reach 2-3 metres high. All ships should proceed with caution and small boats keep ashore during the next one to two days. (MCOT online news)

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Abhisit Vejjajiva, opposition Democrat party leader, and key party executives brought relief supplies donated by the public to help flood victims in the province.

No doubt he was dressed accordingly in a clean crisp white shirt and nicely pressed trousers like the last visit when he made to "help" unfortunate flood ravaged victims!

Flood woes spread to Pattaya; evacuations in Krabi, the south

Flood woes spread to Pattaya; evacuations in Krabi, the south

By The Nation
Published on September 12, 2011


Resort 'waistdeep' in water after two days of heavy rain; death toll hits 80

Heavy flooding spread to new areas of the country amid heavy rain over the weekend, with the seaside town of Pattaya in the East the latest hit, and largescale evacuations were ordered in Krabi and neighbouring provinces in the South.

Waisthigh flooding in many areas of North and South Pattaya in Chon Buri province followed two days and two nights of heavy rain, while Central Pattaya was inundated. Relief operations and water drainage were underway, but no casualties were reported.

Five of Chanthaburi's 10 districts were flooded, with an estimated 5,000 residents affected, while warnings of possible landslides in hilly areas were maintained.

Adjacent to Krabi, Phang Nga yesterday saw emergency evacuation of 500 people in Takua Pa district in the middle of the night, while residents and tourists in neighbouring Ranong were advised to avoid national parks and waterfalls, though no official restrictions were announced.

The floodrelated death toll rose to 80, and a large number of people were reported to be suffering mental distress. The body of a French mountainbiker identified merely as Reimi, 30, was found in Prachin Buri. He disappeared Saturday night while cycling alone near Eto National Park. Flash floods also inundated a large number of homes in Mueang and Sri Maha Pho districts.

In an official update of the flood damage released yesterday, 465,792 residents of 2,820 villages in 69 districts of 16 provinces have been affected, while 3,681,912 rai of farmland and 29 key roads have been flooded or damaged.

Heavy rain and likely flash floods are forecast in another 32 provinces within this week, while warnings of landslides are being maintained in Uttaradit.

Eight of 12 people missing in the province's Nam Pat district since Friday were accounted for yesterday. They went missing when flash floods ploughed into three villages killing three people. Relief assistance was being provided to 2,028 people and repairs were underway on roads and bridges damaged by the strong currents.

A total of 705 homes were damaged or washed away in the province, along with a school, four roads and six bridges. One person remained in serious conditions. The payment to families for each floodrelated death from authorities has been set at Bt25,000, or Bt50,000 for breadwinners.

Heavy rain was forecast throughout the country, along with high seas in both the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. Residents of coastal areas where rain is likely are being warned to brace for flash flooding due to the seasonal peak tide, authorities said.

Bangkok Post : Mudslide toll rises to five, army called in

Mudslide toll rises to five, army called in

• Published: 12/09/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

The death toll from the Uttaradit mudslides has risen to five, with two still missing as Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra ordered authorities to speed up search, rescue and rebuilding operations.


A girl stares at the place where her house sat until it was swept away by a flash flood that also triggered a mudslide on Friday in the village of Ban Ton Khanoon in Uttaradit province’s Nam Pat district. THITI WANNAMONTHA

Ms Yingluck visited villages devastated by Friday's flash flood and mudslide yesterday afternoon, just hours after opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva arrived at the villages to hand out survival kits.

The two did not meet.

The premier was nearly brought to tears when she saw the damaged homes and devastation in Ban Ton Khanoon_one of the four villages struck by a mudslide in Nam Pat district.

"I feel so sorry for the people affected by the disaster," she said, adding that searching for the missing people and repairing damaged roads were the two most urgent tasks.

The Social Development and Human Security Ministry and the Princess Pa Foundation will build at least 50 knock-down homes for people who lost their homes in the disaster, she said.

Ms Yingluck said she had instructed military engineers and the Interior Ministry to take the lead in rebuilding and rehabilitation operations.

She met Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa and army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha earlier to ask for the military's cooperation in helping disaster victims in Uttaradit. "The army has agreed to take part in installing a disaster warning systems in the villages," she said.

Uttaradit governor Yothin Samutkhiri said the flash flood and mudslide destroyed 41 homes and partly damaged 48 others, and damaged 21 roads and nine bridges.

A total of 2,028 villagers from 705 families were affected.

Search and rescue units yesterday found two more bodies, bringing the death toll to five.

Bodies of two Ban Ton Khanoon villagers _ Kanyanee Sonpim, 40, and Yingsak Indeesri, five _ were found about 30 kilometres away from their village, said Surachai Tuchkawin, chief of Uttaradit's disaster prevention and mitigation office.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Preecha Rengsomboonsuk said the water run-off caused substantial damage because there was no forest to slow down the raging water.

The minister, who inspected the villages yesterday, said check dams should be built on waterways flowing into villages to help slow down the water.

The Mineral Resources Department (MRD), which is in charge of identifying villages at risk of flash floods and mudslides, will conduct a new round of surveys to make sure that all disaster-prone villages are included on its hazard maps, he said. The four villages in Uttaradit are not on current mudslide-risk maps.

Flooding continued to ravage many provinces yesterday with water levels in several major rivers rising rapidly amid heavy rainfall, which inundated riverbank communities.

Ayutthaya's Tha Rua district was flooded suddenly last night. Residents suspect the flood water came from water discharged from the Phra Rama VI dam, in the same district. Meanwhile, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said 16 provinces were flooded, while the weather office warned of heavy rain all over the country today.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Ayutthaya's Tha Rua district was flooded suddenly last night. Residents suspect the flood water came from water discharged from the Phra Rama VI dam, in the same district.

Looking on the brighter "side of life"...apparently the local fishing has improved overnight!

Friends of The Nation's Photos | Facebook

Friends of The Nation's Photos


Pattaya shows the effects of two days and nights of heavy rain with widespread flooding. The heavily inundated areas are in North and South Pattaya.

Friends of The Nation's Photos | Facebook

Friends of The Nation's Photos


Water levels in Phitsanulok have now exceeded the critical heights of 15 years ago and they're still on the rise in urban areas of Mueang district and the heavily swollen Nan River.

Chanthaburi River has flooded communities : National News Bureau of Thailand

Chanthaburi River has flooded communities

BANGKOK, 12 September 2011 (NNT) - Flood situation in the eastern province of Chanthaburi has deteriorated as the Chanthaburi River becomes swollen and has flooded local trading centres and residential areas.

People began evacuating their belongings to higher grounds. At least three schools in the central district of Chanthaburi have declared closed for three days. The Phraya Trang Road and another route leading to the classical dance village have become inaccessible.

Aged people, children and those needing medical services who live along the river are warned to evacuate to safer places. Motorists are also suggested to avoid using roads in several municipality zones as traffic is piling up due to the transfer of equipment and relief packages for affected people.

Rain continues in this province with the level of floodwater rising beyond the critical point. The provincial administration has installed water-pumping machines at different points in the economic zone. The governor of Chanthaburi and the head of the provincial Red Cross Unit have visited affected people and explored ways to urgently release water into the sea.

Government urges people to make donations for flood victims : National News Bureau of Thailand

Government urges people to make donations for flood victims

BANGKOK, 12 September 2011 (NNT)-The Thai government is urging people in the country to make donations to help people affected by floods on Wednesday at the Parliament Building.

The event will be held from 20.30 hrs – 21.30 hrs and will also be televised live on Channel 9. The purpose of this event is to get all the helps from every sector to rescue and prolong the livelihood of flood victims.

According to Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office Ms. Kritsana Seehalak, Channel 11 will be providing viewers with daily updates on the weather forecast and the water levels from the Department of Royal Irrigation.

The Coordination Centre for Floods, Storms and Mudslides revealed that 202,760 homes were still submerged in 16 provinces across the country. 80 people are dead while 5 people are still missing.

Meanwhile, roads are currently being repaired in Uttaradit province where mudslides destroyed them recently. The Governor of Uttaradit will present to the Cabinet tomorrow the estimated value of the damages as a result of heavy rains.

Thai-ASEAN News Network



Provinces Ravaged by Mudslides, Flash Floods

UPDATE : 12 September 2011

Flood woes in various provinces see no signs of waning as battering downpours continue to bloat major tributaries.

Communities along the Chantaburi River in Chantaburi Province were deeply distressed when an all-night downpour bloated the river, flooding homes and shops along the river banks.

Gem stores in Nam Phu Market were amongst the areas hit hard by flooding.

Schools in Muang District were forced to cancel classes for the next two days to ensure students' safety while the river tide in districts such as Klung, Makham, Soi Dao is still dangerously high.


Officials have been dispatched to assess the damage and provide aid to flood-hit locals.

At the Tha Rua Market in Ayutthaya's Tha Rua District, vendors were forced to shut down their businesses as more than one meter of floodwater has swamped the riverside market.

Over 50 public workers helped the distressed vendors haul their belongings to higher grounds.

In Phichit Province, military personnel were dispatched to help villagers in Muang District's Hua Dong municipality after the area was ravaged by surging flash flood torrents flowing from the nearby mountain top and further bloating the Nan River.

A total of six communities have been reeling under one-meter-deep floodwater for more than three weeks and have been cut off from the outside world.

At Chonburi's Pattaya City, officials have begun assessing the damage and commenced a clean-up effort after yesterday's flooding has eased considerably.

Officials said the recent round of flooding was the worst to have hit the area in the last decade.

Heavy downpours caused the trapped rainwater to rise at a rapid rate, swamping homes as well as the inbound and outbound Sukhumvit Road.

The drainage operation took more than two hours before all the floodwater was diverted into the sea.

The Mul River flowing through Ubon Ratchathani Province remains dangerously high.

More than 50 restaurants in Muang District's Thap Thai Subdistrict were forced to shut down.

Officials expect it will take many months before the flood situation in the area eases.

Meanwhile, a two-day nonstop downpour in Phang-nga Province has triggered flash floods which cut off roads connecting villages in Kapong District. Some 120 households in the area were severely affected.

More than 60 families in Leh Subdistrict's Nok Hook Village have been stranded as flash floods and mudslides destroyed the bridge leading to the village.

Phattalung's Sri Nakarin District was also hit hard by the weekend downpour, with strong gales toppling large durian trees, damaging homes and vehicles.

Residents of 14 villages in Satun's Muang District have been closely monitoring the water level as last night's run-off from Kuan Don District has flooded the surrounding areas.

Locals were forced to immediately evacuate the area with over 500 families reported in distress.

The Provincial Administrative Office has declared four districts as disaster zones after they were ravaged by mudslides.

A total of ten schools have been closed indefinitely.

Thai-ASEAN News Network



Uttaradit Mudslide Toll Up to 6

UPDATE : 12 September 2011

The death toll from a mudslide in Uttaradit has risen to six so far after three more bodies were discovered.

A rescue team yesterday found the body of Pan Khamwai, an 82-year-old villager, during their search for those missing after flash floods and a mudslide hit several villages in Nam Phai Subdistrict of Uttaradit's Nampad District.

The rescue team this morning continued their search of the area and found two more bodies in the Klongtron National Park, bringing the death toll to six.


The bodies of the last two have not been carried out of the park yet.

The search for missing five-year-old Yingsuk Indisri is still underway.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday visited the heavily-hit Ban Ton Khanun village and gave relief kits to its residents.

Yingluck stated she was very sorry for the loss of lives and damage and praised villagers for helping each other in time of need.

She also delivered her thanks to disaster donors.

The prime minister said she has already instructed relevant agencies to expedite their assistance to flood victims.

Mineral Resources Department spokesman Adichart Surinkham remarked villages in Nam Pai Subdistrict is not among the 2,000 villages with a mudslide warning plan as it is outside the agency's map of areas prone to mudslides and flash floods.

Adichart stated his department is updating its map by including low-lying areas.

35 provinces on flash flood alert due to continued heavy rains

35 provinces on flash flood alert due to continued heavy rains

วันจันทร์ ที่ 12 ก.ย. 2554



BANGKOK, Sept 12- Thailand's centre for the administration of flood situation on Monday warned local residents in river basins in 35 provinces to beware of forest-runoff and flash flooding due to heavy rains today and tomorrow.

Srisombat Pornprasit, deputy director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, as centre director, warned that heavy rain is expected countrywide on Monday and Tuesday.

People living in lowlands along the foothills in 35 provinces were urged to be alert for forest-runoff and mudslides, while those who live along the Chaopraya River and its tributaries should alert to water spilling over the riverbanks and install sandbag protective embankments, Mr Srisombat said.

The 35 provinces at risk include Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phetchabun, Lop Buri, Uthai Thani, Sara buri, Chaiyuphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket, Mukdahan, Roi Et, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Ubon Ratchathani, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Sa Keao, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Phatthalung, Songkhla and Satun.

The director noted people in four southern provinces -- Satun, Trang, Songkhla, and Phatthalung, are advised to monitor forest-runoff and mudslides during these two days due to accumulative heavy rainfalls.

Mr Srisombat also reported 82 districts in16 provinces are still under floodwaters, affecting over 217,000 people and damaging 3.6 million rai of crops and 53 highways.

As of today, 82 persons were confirmed dead in the nationwide flooding, the deputy director-general said.

Her Majesty Queen Sirikit has instructed the Thai Red Cross, under her royal patronage, to distribute flood relief kits worth Bt35 million and also granted additional personal donation of Bt500,000 to the Thai Red Cross for its flood relief operations in 19 flood-impacted provinces,.

Meanwhile, Minister to Prime Minister's Office Kritsana Sihalak on Monday said the government has instructed state television NBT to present daily programming informing of the flood situation and warning the public. The information will be reported by the Department of Meteorology and the Royal Irrigation Department.

In the latest development, the fifth body missing during Uttaradit's Nam Pat landslides since early Friday was retrieved today. Officials continued searching for the remaining two persons, one identified as a five-year-old boy.

Seven persons were reportedly missing when four villages in Nam Pat district were struck by fast-moving forest run-off and a mudslide early Friday, cutting off some 300 households from the outside world. (MCOT online news)

It's not exactly news is it? It rains during the rainy season every year here, no surprise then that parts of the country get flooded.

Instead of using budgets on continually & needlessly assisting citizens annually at this time of year, succesive governments could have employed professionals to resolve the problem long term if indeed it were possible.

Especially as it's affecting my golf days out. bastards!

Peeing down outside btw.

^ Agree, every year it is problem, every year people die...and what have we learned?

Nothing much it appears...

Time for some serious spending to at least make an attempt at improving things.

Ayutthaya braces for flooding in business area; Nakhon Sawan under water

Ayutthaya braces for flooding in business area; Nakhon Sawan under water

วันอังคาร ที่ 13 ก.ย. 2554



PHRA NAKHON SI AYUTTHAYA, Sept 13 – Thailand’s central province of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya on Tuesday was preparing for flooding likely to hit the provincial seat while overflowing waters of the Chao Phraya River flooded communities in upriver in Nakhon Sawan.

To prevent floodwater from flowing into Ayutthaya municipality’s business district and transport routes, municipal workers and border patrol police were placing sandbags near the base of the Wat Dusitdaram bridge.

The operation came after overflowing water from the Pasak River flooded the Ayutthaya-Hantra Road and carrying away parts of the bridge and eroding nearby areas Monday night.

In Nakhon Sawan, waters from the Chao Phraya River overflowed into three communities in the provincial seat. About 800 houses and some household belongings were under three-metre-deep floodwaters.

Electricity has been cut off and military personnel from Chiraprawat Army Camp are aiding the flooded communities by flat-bottomed boats.

In Uttaradit, Provincial Public Health Office chief Dr Paisan Thanyawinichkul said three mobile medical units were sent to flood devastated Nam Pat district to treat victims.

Apart from physical illnesses, some residents are facing mental health, stresses and insomnia.

Fifty flood victims are depressed, while 12 others are considered at risk of hurting themselves.

Dr Paisan said medical personnel and psychologists at the site have closely observed patients and given health advice.

So far, about 153,000 flood-related patients have been reported. Most of them suffered from athlete’s foot, common flu and skin diseases, Public Health Minister Wittaya Buranasiri on Tuesday said during his visit to flood-hit Singburi province.

The ministry dispatched mobile medical units to the area to treat patients and monitor possible epidemics as well as giving psychological advice for the patients.

Over a quarter million medical kits have been distributed in 13 flooded provinces.

The flooding continued in 21 provinces and affected some 693,000 residents, according to Interior Permanent Secretary Vichien Chavalit.

Nearly 3.7 million rais (some 1.5 million acres) of crops are estimated to have been destroyed while the traffic on eight highways and 41 rural roads has been disrupted in 14 provinces due to the floods.

Mr Vichien, as director of the emergency operations centre for floods, storms and mudslide, warned residents in seven flood-prone provinces to beware of possible mudslides and forest run-off triggered by heavy incessant rain.

The at-risk provinces included Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Tak, Kanchanaburi, Rayong, Chantaburi and Trat.

In a related development, the Cabinet on Tuesday approved an allocation of Bt5,000 (US$166) in financial aid to each household which has been affected by the flooding, according to Government Spokesperson Thitima Chaisaeng. (MCOT online news)

Northern runoff to reach capital early next week, flood death toll 87

Northern runoff to reach capital early next week, flood death toll 87

By The Nation
Published on September 15, 2011


Run-off from the North is approaching the lower Chao Phraya basin and is now expected to hit Bangkok early next week.

The situation will be particularly worrying between this coming Saturday and September 30, according to the House ad-hoc committee on tackling the flooding and managing water resources.

"Run-off water will linger in Bangkok over the period, which is also the time of the high tide," the panel said.

Sanya Cheenimit, who heads the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Drainage and Sewerage Department, yesterday said his agency was closely monitoring the situation.

"We are depleting water [levels] in canals and all 21 water-retention areas in Bangkok," he said, adding that officials are now on duty at water-pumping stations around the clock.

Speaking in his capacity as the deputy chief of the centre directing the response to storms, floods and landslides, Interior Ministry deputy permanent secretary Chonchuen Boonyanusas warned people along the Chao Phraya River in Nakhon Sawan, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Angthong, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi and Bangkok to move their belongings to higher ground.

"They must increase the height of the river's embankments, too," he said.

Bangkok's neighbouring provinces are, however, already under water. In Sing Buri, 73-year-old Thongkham Boonnithi drowned yesterday while trying to wade through flood water to get back to her home in Phrom Buri district.

Thai Red Cross Society secretary-general Pan Wannamethee yesterday represented Her Majesty the Queen in handing out 1,000 sets of relief items and a boat to flood-hit people in Sing Buri, and another vessel to In Buri Hospital.

Nonthaburi Governor Wichian Puttiwinyu, meanwhile, has now declared six districts under his jurisdiction as disaster-hit zones.

The province's famous Koh Kret attraction has been severely flooded. Shops and restaurants there had to close down as owners rushed to move their belongings to higher ground amid flood water that was about 1-metre-deep.

"Students and locals who have to travel need to pack new clothes to change into after wading through the flooded area," said 60-year-old Sudjit Jarernkul, who runs a pottery factory in Koh Kret.

In Pathum Thani, teachers at Wat Pho Luen School had to conduct classes from a temple hall and the house of one of their colleagues.

Up to 53 students huddled together at the house of Riam Pinworasan, the academic head of Wat Pho Luen School.

"Exams are about to start, so we have decided not to cancel classes. As well, we are concerned that if students are allowed to stay home, they may go out to play in the flood water and expose themselves to danger," Riam said. "Most parents will still go out to work, so we think it's better to keep children under teachers' supervision."

In a community behind Bang Luang Temple in Pathum Thani's Muang district, flood water was well over 1-metre deep, effectively marooning 200 families.

Deputy Public Health Minister Torpong Chaiyasarn yesterday said the flooding had already left 586 people with a serious level of stress, 1,465 with depression and 213 others at risk of suicide.

Flooding has upset the lives of about 700,000 people across 23 provinces.

As of press time, the flood-related death toll had reached 87.

In Chon Buri, crocodiles escaped from their enclosure at the Million Years Stone Park & Pattaya Crocodile Farm after part of a wall collapsed on Sunday night in the wake of eroding flood water and a storm.

"After four nights and four days, we have managed to recapture 29 crocodiles, but some are still missing," said park chief Suan Panomwattanakul.

He said anyone providing useful information on the animals' whereabouts would be given Bt5,000.

8 provinces along Chao Phraya River warned of overflow during 18-20 Sep : National News Bureau of Thailand

BANGKOK, 16 September 2011 (NNT) –

A warning has been issued for eight provinces in the Lower Chao Phraya River Basin over possible flooding as a result of an overflow of the river during 18-20 September.

Director of the 24/7 Emergency Operating Center for Flood, Storm and Landslide Panu Yamsri emphasized that the water situation in all river basins should be monitored closely during this period as the water level had a tendency to rise further due to incessant rains. The amount of water in the Chao Phraya River flowing past Nakhon Sawan province was recently measured at 3,670 cubic meters per second while the amount in Ayutthaya was at 3,183 cubic meters per second.

However, from 18-19 September, the volume of water passing Nakhon Sawan is expected to increase to 3,800-3,900 cubic meters per second while the amount flowing through Chao Phraya Dam will possibly peak at 3,700 cubic meters per second during 19-20 September.

Eight provinces along the Chao Phraya River are reportedly at risk of river runoff. They consist of Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi.

In addition, Mr Panu expressed concerns over the water levels at several major dams, such as Bhumibol, Sirikit and Pa Sak Jolasid Dams, which were climbing rapidly and were almost at the full capacity. He thus encouraged people residing below the dams to move their valuable belongings to high places and add height to their flood barriers. Related authorities have been instructed to help monitor the water level and assist local residents in the prevention of floods.


Reporter : Surapan Laotharanarit

Bangkok Post : Flood death toll rises to 102

Flood death toll rises to 102

• Published: 17/09/2011 at 02:24 PM
• Online news:

A total of 102 people were confirmed dead and two persons are missing in flash floods that have hit several provinces for nearly two months, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department reported on Saturday.

Floods still prevail in the provinces of Sukhothai, Phichit, Pitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chainat, Singburi, Angthong, Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Saraburi, Suphanburi, Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Ubon Ratchathani, Lei, Khon Kaen, Mahasarakam, Si Sa Ket, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Nayok, Tak, Sakaeo and Prachinburi, according the department.

Altogether 1,412,357 people in 165 districts of these provinces were affected by the floods.

Bangkok Post : City Hall confident it can disperse runoff

City Hall confident it can disperse runoff

• Published: 17/09/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

City Hall is confident it can handle the expected arrival of a huge volume of water runoff from the North from next Thursday.

The first signs of floods in the Chao Phraya River are likely to arrive in the city by Monday, but water levels in the river are likely to rise to their highest point by Thursday, city officials said.

Sanya Chiranimit, director of the Department of Drainage and Sewerage of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, said the BMA's 158 pump stations equipped with 714 water pumps were ready to start pumping the excess water from Bangkok into the Gulf of Thailand via 200 water gates.

Staff have put aside about four million sandbags to create embankments along the river and canals in flood-prone areas, he said.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said the government is seeking help from the army to relieve the impact of possible flooding in several provinces. More kaem ling (monkey cheek) water retention areas were needed, she said.

In Ayutthaya and Suphan Buri, residents have complained of more frequent bites by leeches and venomous reptiles which escaped the floods.

Rising water also forced monks to stop making morning alms rounds.

In Pathum Thani, about 200 families in Wat Bang Luang community in Muang district were evacuated when the water level in the Chao Phraya River rose rapidly, overflowing its banks and flooding the riverside community.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, four major reservoirs were more than 80% full yesterday even as water was siphoned off to reduce pressure. It is feared the water will overflow from one of the reservoirs in the next few days.

Meanwhile, Ms Yingluck says she will look into a complaint that officials in Phichit have taken a trip to Bali when they should be working on flood relief.

Thirty officials including deputy provincial governors, district chiefs, and heads of government offices in the province are now on holiday in Bali. They are due to return tomorrow.

Also joining the trip is Kanokphon Watcharothayangkun, chairwoman of the Phichit Red Cross Society and the wife of Phichit governor Suwit Watcharothayangkun.

Narong Pot-art, chairman of Phai Luang tambon administration organisation in Taphan Hin district, said a dyke had burst in the tambon destroying three houses and flooding the main road.

He had asked the district office for an emergency budget but was told the district chief was away overseas.

Mr Suwit said many of those on the trip are going into retirement and it had been organised for them. They took leave and paid for the holiday themselves.

The officials were supposed to have made the trip in July but delayed it after the province was flooded previously.

TAN_Network TAN News Network

PM visits Nakhon Sawan to hand out Bt5,000 compensation to each household affected by flooding