Waterfalls at Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Nayok have been closed off to tourists given the danger of forest runoff, according to officials.
They are the Nang Rong, Sarika, Takhro and Thanthip waterfalls, said park chief Kanchit Srinoppawan yesterday, adding officials would be sent to monitor the areas.
Referring to Road No.3077 in the park, which was flooded between kilometre markers 34 and 35, Mr Kanchit said the situation returned to normal about 4.40pm yesterday.
On Monday, water levels at the Nang Rong and Wang Takhrai waterfalls rose rapidly. About 30 people including a film crew were stranded strand at a riverside resort as a result, but they all are now safe.
Nakhon Nayok governor Nattapong Sirichana, who visited the resort yesterday, said the flooding has receded and resort staff were cleaning up the area.
Mr Nattapong said the Nakhon Nayok River, which also receives water from Nang Rong waterfall, is flowing at a speed of 180 cubic metres per second, meaning the river would not overflow as it can handle up to 200 cu/m of water per second.
Thongplew Kongjun, director-general of the Royal Irrigation Department, said the flash flood at Nang Rong waterfall was caused by heavy rains on Khao Khiew in Nakhon Nayok, recorded at 168 millimtres of rainfall.
Meanwhile, six major dams, five of them in Nakhon Ratchasima, are able to accommodate another 500 million cubic metres of water between them, the 8th Irrigation Office said yesterday, allaying fears they could overflow and devastate communities downstream.
Wiwat Thitirat-asawa, director of water management, said the overall water situation at the six major dams under the jurisdiction of his office was stable.
The six dams are Lam Takhong, Lam Mun Bon, Lam Sae, Lam Phra Phloeng and Lam Plai Mat in Nakhon Ratchasima, and Lam Nang Rong in Buri Ram.
Mountain runoff from Khao Yai National Park that ravaged several areas in Nakhon Nayok has worried many Nakhon Ratchasima residents. The office has received many phone calls from people seeking reassurance, Mr Wiwat said.