Schools closed, pigs swept away by floods

Schools closed, pigs swept away by floods

Chaiyaphum municipality was flooded on Monday morning. (Photo by Makkawan Wannakul)
Chaiyaphum municipality was flooded on Monday morning. (Photo by Makkawan Wannakul)

Six schools in Chaiyaphum's Muang district were closed and businesses shut their doors on Monday due to flooding caused by tropical depression Doksuri.

The municipal area was inundated, with low-lying areas under water a metre deep. Many shop owners closed up and took the day off.

With many streets impassable for small vehicles, motorists were advised to avoid the downtown area.

According to local officials, flooding had affected about 300 households. They were being provided immediate relief help with drinking water, sanitation, medicine and food. 

Water pumps were deployed to drain water in the heart of the town into the Chee river, which was expected to be completed in a few days if there is no more rain.

Chaiyaphum is among 12 provinces battered by flooding triggered by storm Doksuri over the weekend.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said heavy rain during Sept 15-17 caused runoff and overflow in 12 provinces  - Kalasin, Sakon Nakhon, Loei, Phrae, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Chaiyaphum, Satun and Phangnga.

While the flood situation in some of these provinces was improving, seven were still battling. In addition to Chaiyaphum, they are Phitsanulok, Kalasin, Phetchabun, Chiang Rai, Lampang and Satun.

In Phitsanulok's Wang Thong district, dozens of pigs were drowned or swept away when a flood barrier  collapsed on Monday morning, allowing water from the Wang Thong river to flood through the farm.

Montha Saimangthong, the 48-year-old owner of the farm, said the earth dyke was breached about 6am. She was caught off guard and watched helplessly as her pigs were swept away by the water.

Fortunately, help arrived shortly after, with neighbours, local officials and soldiers coming to her aid.

Ms Montha said she had more than 200 pigs. Only about 150 had been rescued. 

She estimated the loss at around 250,000 baht, as each pig should fetch around 5,000 baht. She expected to recoup some of the money because local traders would buy the fresh carcasses at 1,000 baht each.

Soldiers help save pigs from the flood at Montha Saimangthong's farm in Phitsanulok's Wang Thong district. (Photo by Chinnawat Singha)


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