PHOTOS: The Nation
Authorities in Thailand’s northern and northeastern provinces are watching the rising water ranges in the Mekong after torrential rains have hit giant stretches of the country inflicting flooding in each residential and agricultural areas.
The Mekong river flows by way of elements of China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department has instructed its offices in fifty nine provinces in all areas of the nation to be “fully prepared” for overflowing rivers, flash floods and landslides following days of heavy downpours, director-general Chayapol Thitisak said yesterday. Of the fifty nine provinces, 17 are in the North, 20 in the Northeast, eight within the Central region and 14 in the South.
Riverside provinces like Chiang Rai, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Khai and Ubon Ratchathani yesterday reported a continuing improve in direction of the crucial point within the Mekong’s water levels. In Mukdahan, the river’s highest water degree was recorded at 12.three metres, simply 18 centimetres under the financial institution.
After 15 days of downpours in Nakhon Phanom, water in the Mekong part passing the province stood at eleven.5 metres yesterday – 1.5 metres below the crucial stage. This has led to many tributaries overflowing and flooding eight districts of Nakhon Phanom, prompting local authorities to declare them disaster zones.
Chiang Rai province’s riverside Chiang Khong district saw a pointy rise in the Mekong’s water levels to 7 metres, up from the normal 3-4 metres, compared to the important stage of 10 metres. The district chief, Tassanai Suthapoj, stated he had convened a meeting of native directors about preparations for potential flooding. He attributed the rise in the Mekong water volumes to heavy rains and additional water released from a dam in southern China.
Read more concerning the Mekong Flood Plains HERE.
In Ubon Ratchathani, many areas in 5 riverside districts were flooded as a outcome of overflows from the Mekong. Several roads connecting villages and different parts of the province became impassable. Elderly villagers stated they believed this year’s rains could be the heaviest in 40 years. In 1978, heavy downpours had led to the Mekong overflowing and causing extreme floods that hit giant farming areas of the province.
Authorities in Nong Khai province yesterday warned residents in riverside areas to be prepared for possible overflows from the Mekong, as water ranges continued to rise following days of heavy rains. All river transport operators within the province have halted operations on the river as a result of safety considerations. Meanwhile, 4 families in the Sop Moei district of the northern Mae Hong Son province had been evacuated yesterday after cracks developed in their houses as a outcome of land subsidence. Local officials said there was a danger of landslides following heavy rains within the area.
In Nan, another northern province, 65 households within the Bo Kluea district requested state assistance for relocation after a landslide of their village left eight residents useless over the previous weekend. The cremation of the eight landslide victims in Nan was held yesterday.
Large volumes of water released from Laos’ dams have been blamed for floods in lots of riverside provinces on the Thai aspect. Chainarong Setthachua, a lecturer at Maha Sarakham University, said he thought the imminent enhance in the water levels in riverside areas was because of the release of water from Nam Theun 2 Dam in Laos. More release of water from Nam Ngum 5 Dam across the river might worsen the state of affairs, he warned.
On the Laos facet, flood victims within the Sanamxay district of Attapeu province were still in want of essential objects, particularly food, rice, drinking water, clothes, blankets, medicines and different every day necessities. Insider than 10,000 folks have been relocated to shelter centres in Attapeu and Champassak provinces after inundation from a dam collapse hit thirteen villages..