28 provinces on alert for deluge

28 provinces on alert for deluge

A couple bucks a heavy downpour. Storms and heavy rainfall is predicted for this week, and authorities have put 28 provinces on alert. (Creative Commons)
A couple bucks a heavy downpour. Storms and heavy rainfall is predicted for this week, and authorities have put 28 provinces on alert. (Creative Commons)

The country is on alert this week as heavy rains are forecast and possibly flash floods that could cause havoc including overflows and rough seas.

Authorities in 28 provinces have been contacted by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) to prepare for the deluge, forest run-off and strong storms that could cause waves of up to 3 metres from Sunday to Thursday.

Officials were instructed to follow up on local water conditions and remain vigilant about possible safety risks.

Rescue units have been organised to deal with various situations so they can be deployed around the clock and boats given thorough safety checks, officials said.

DDPM director-general Chayapol Thitisak said the monsoon is now swiping Myanmar, upper Thailand and Laos. Heavy downpours are also expected over much of Thailand.

Six of the 28 provinces on high alert are in the North. They are Tak, Phitsanulok, Phichit, Phetchabun, Nan and Nakhon Sawan. Eight more in the Northeast are Sakon Nakhon, Udon Thani, Kalasin, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Yasothon, Roi Et and Maha Sarakham.

The five provinces in the Central Plains are Kanchanaburi, Sa Kaeo, Chantaburi, Prachin Buri and Trat. They other nine in a state of readiness are in the South: Chumphon, Surat Thani, Phatthalung, Ranong, Phuket, Phangnga, Krabi, Satun and Trang.

In Sakon Nakhon, officials were racing against time to siphon water from Nong Han lake so it can receive more water from the Phu Phan mountains following hours of persistent rain.

The province was hit by a deluge in July 2016, the worst flood record there in 40 years.

Mr Chayapol said the Marine Department, and Marine Police and Department of Fisheries were told to patrol the sea to warn ships to take the necessary safety precautions.

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