NAKHON PHANOM: Residents of four districts along the Mekong River and its tributaries have been warned the water level has risen to almost nine metres and it could soon overflow its banks.
The level of the Mekong in Nakhon Phanom on Thursday was 8.50 metres, or 3.5m below the spill-over level of 12m, and still rising.
Three major tributaries - the Nam Oun, Nam Songkhram and Nam Kam - are now at 80% to 90% of their holding capacities. Some low-lying housing and farming areas in this northeastern province are already hit by overflow from watercourses.
The Nakhon Phanom provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office on Thursday warned people living in at-risk areas and economic zones in Ban Phaeng, Tha Uthen, Muang and That Phanom districts along the Mekong River banks to brace for possible overflows that could cause flooding. People were told to move their belongings to higher ground if heavy rain continued.
The department is coordinating efforts with district authorities and local administrative organsiations to be on full alert and prepare water pumps in at-risk areas to prevent prolonged flooding.