A flood warning has been issued for the lower northeastern province of Si Sa Ket, where several reservoirs are already at full capacity with storm runoff continuing to flood into them.
Thai media reported that 13 of the 16 water reservoirs in the province are brim full. Four reservoirs bordering Phanom Dongrak Mountain, next to the border with Cambodia, have overflown and flooded several areas, swamping roads and at least 20,000 rai of farmland.
Si Sa Ket governor Thawat Suraban advised people in low-lying areas near waterways to evacuate to higher ground, especially those staying in single-storey houses. Flash flooding was possible at any time, he said.
All 22 district chiefs have been placed on full alert and ordered to closely monitor water levels.
Kanchit Deenongyang, chief of Phusing district, said four reservoirs in the district were already brimming over. Water was 10-15 centimetres above the spillway. About 1,000 rai of rubber plantations had been flooded and 25 roads were damaged.
If the water topped the spillway by 50-80cm it would flow into natural waterways and about three days later would arrive in Muang district of Si Sa Ket, he said.
The flood surge in the Mun River through Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin and Roi Et provinces has increased significantly, so the Rasi Salai Dam in Rasi Salai district of Si Sa Ket is releasing more water to make room for it. The dam on Monday held 53.122 million cubic metres of water, 71.34% of capacity.
Prasong Nuansai, acting chief of Sa Si Ket Disaster Mitigation and Prevention Office, said the increased rate of discharge from Rasi Salai Dam had not yet affected farmland along the Mun River.