Torrid rainfall hits Phang Nga, Krabi
Torrential rain hit three southern provinces yesterday, causing widespread heavy flooding. Trees were downed, blocking traffic and causing heavy congestion for several hours.
Trees were felled by early-morning thunderstorms along Phetkasem Road in Phang Nga province. The fallen trees were removed by 6am. Disasters have been declared in three Thai Muang tambons in Phang Nga where mudslides were reported in nine villages. Rescue workers are ready to evacuate residents. Another section of Phetkasem Road in one Thai Muang district was impassable after being washed out. Motorists have been advised to use Route 4090 as an alternative to the Khoke Kloi-Thai Muang section of Phetkasem Road between the 11 and 12 km markers. Tapee River floodwaters have deluged many villages in low-lying areas of Phra Saeng district in Surat Thani. Some fruit plantations along the border with neighbouring Krabi province have been inundated. In the northern province of Kamphaeng Phet, more than 100 households in Kosamphi Nakhon sub-district have been flooded by water from the hill country. Many have been saved by dredging. In tambon Phet Chomphoo, 1,500 rai of farmland has been flooded, as has about 10,000 rai of orchards and as many as 100 homes. A short section of Phaholyothin Road between Kamphaeng Phet and Tak is impassable. Urgent dredging of the Lampai River in Mae Hong Son is attempting to broaden the river by as much as four times its original width. Governor Direk Konkleeb said the enlarged river could cope with greater volume and help prevent flooding.
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