KHON KAEN: Three days after Ubonrat Dam began to release water at the rate of 54 million cubic metres of water per day, the Phong river has overflowed to flood a wide area below the dam.
As of 8.30am on Sunday, the water level in Ubonrat Dam was 183.27 metres above mean sea level, 1.27m over the normal level of 182m.
As it is holding 22% more than its official full capacity, the dam will continue to release water at the rate of 54 million cu/m per day for an indefinite period. As a result, the Phong river has overflowed to flood numerous houses and farmland, causing extensive damage.
On the Khon Kaen - Nam Phong road, officials from the Highway and Royal Irrigation departments and soldiers from the 23rd Military Circle have used backhoes to build a dyke at low-lying spots to prevent water from flowing into Kut Kwang and Phra Khue streams - something that would cause flooding in central Khon Kaen.
The flooding has also forced farmers to move their free-range ducks to areas along the Nam Phong-Khon Kaen road. Free-range ducks are usually raised in ricefields.
Boonrod Sangchana, 74, a duck raiser, said free-range ducks normally forage for food in ricefields - but since they have been inundated, he has had to bring them alongside the road, forcing motorists to reduce speed and occasionally drive around them.
Earlier story: Locals around Phong River go on high alert