Farmland, vending areas submerged
THEERAWAT KHAMTHITA
Forest runoff and mudslides have ravaged several districts in two northern provinces and Burmese border towns, submerging large areas of farmland and trading areas.
In Chiang Rai, runoff from Doi Kuteng Nayong mountain caused flooding at vending areas along the Thai-Burmese border in the province's Mae Sai district yesterday.
Shophouses and homes along Mae Sai river were inundated. Fortunately, goods were not damaged as vendors had been notified in advance and moved their stock to higher ground. The road beneath the Thai-Burmese Friendship Bridge was impassable due to 70cm-deep floodwater.
Runoff washed into Thalor market in Burma's border town Tachilek, opposite Mae Sai district, yesterday, forcing vendors to move their goods to higher ground.
The water in the market was about 60cm deep.
Mountain mudslides, triggered by heavy downpours, hit several villages in Chiang Rai's Mae Fa Luang and Muang districts.
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| Motorists navigate their way through a two-kilometre stretch of flooded road in Chiang Mai's municipal area, most of which is inundated by water running off Doi Suthep and from overflow of the Mae Taeng river. — SUBIN KHUENKAEW |
Routes leading to Huay Chomphu village in Mae Fa Luang district were blocked by mudslides.
Pang Khong and Pang Trakhai villages in Muang district were hit by both runoff and mudslides.
In the province's Wiang Pa Pao district, runoff caused flooding in several communities.
The floodwater was about 40cm high. Several areas of farmland had been damaged.
Prasit Koluang, chairman of Pa-niew tambon administration organisation in Wiang Pa Pao district, said about 1,000 houses in six villages under tambon Pa-niew have been affected by runoff. Some houses were under one metre of water.
He said members of five affected households could not be contacted.
However, he believed they were all safe and said there has so far been no reports of casualties.
Bunyen Yodpibut, kamnan of tambon Banpao in Lampang 's Muang district, said runoff, triggered by heavy overnight rain, caused flooding in several villages.
Runoff and an overflow from Mae Kong brook caught residents in the region by surprise.
Many of their belongings were damaged and a number of farm animals were killed.
Households most affected were those living along Mae Kong brook, said Mr Bunyen.
The floodwater level was said to be about 50cm to one metre high.
Pol Lt-Col Jumphol Chaiwong, chief of Border Patrol Police company 325, led the company and Nan provincial officers to hand out relief aid provided by His Majesty the King to help people affected by heavy flood and mudslides in tambon Tan Chum, Tha Wang Pha district, and help to repair their houses.
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