Heavy rain, flood warning for most of the South

Heavy rain, flood warning for most of the South

A flooded highway in Bang Saphan district of Prachuap Khiri Khan on Friday. (Highways Department photo)
A flooded highway in Bang Saphan district of Prachuap Khiri Khan on Friday. (Highways Department photo)

Heavy rain and flooding are forecast for most southern provinces on Friday and Saturday, with floods already reported in Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chumphon provinces, affecting local hospitals and the southern highway.

The Meteorological Department said on Friday morning a strong low pressure area covered the South and was moving into the Andaman Sea.

Heavy rain was expected in Chumphon, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phetchaburi, Phuket, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Satun, Songkhla, Surat Thani and Trang provinces on Friday.

Heavy rain was also forecast in the region for Saturday, except Phatthalung, Satun, Songkhla and Trang provinces.

Chayapol Thitisak, director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, said flooding, runoff and mudslides were possible in many southern provinces.

On Friday flooding was reported on Highway 41, a major road, in Sawi district of Chumphon. Flood levels were 30-50 centimetres on Friday morning with runoff flowing over several kilometres of the highway in Moo 12 village of tambon Kharon. That caused a traffic snarl-up, with the queues stretching back a few kilometres there.

In Phrachuap Khiri Kan province, health officials started evacuating patients from Bang Saphan Hospital to Prachuap Khiri Khan Hospital as parts of Bang Saphan and Bang Saphan Noi districts were inundated. At least five schools were closed there.

Parts of Hua Hin district were also flooded. Many local roads including a section of Phetkasem Highway, the main southern highway, were under water in the municipal area. Flood water averaged about 20cm deep and traffic was slow.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT