Landslide and flash flood alert for parks
With heavy rain having lashed many parts of the country - and another tropical depression looming off the west coast, all national parks, especially those with waterfalls, are on alert for flash-floods and landslides.
The weather bureau warned northern, western and central areas, plus Bangkok, to be on alert for another tropical depression from the Andaman Sea. National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department chief Chalermsak Wanichsombat instructed officials at national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and forest reserves to follow weather reports closely. He told them to consider closing any area where rainfall exceeds 100 millimetres. No attraction has been closed, but officials have been ordered to put safety gear in place in case of an emergency. Disaster-warning systems are in the pipeline as a long-term solution. Water Resources Department director-general Siripong Hungspreug said 400 rainfall-measuring stations had been installed in the North and South. Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chumphon had so much rain - 200 millilitres and 137 millilitres respectively - they were at risk of floods and landslides. The heavy rain and flooding late yesterday forced Prachuap Khiri Khan to declare Hua Hin a "disaster zone". A bridge in tambon Hin Lek Fai was swamped by floods, and a temporary bridge had to be set up for villagers. Weather bureau chief Suparerk Tansriratanawong said another depression over the Andaman Sea was approaching upper Thailand. He warned of heavy rain in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Tak, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi. Ships' captains are on alert until tomorrow. Phuket officials put up red flags at beaches to warn tourists not to swim because of strong winds and high waves.Scattered rain was tipped for 60 per cent of Bangkok, but Suparerk said it was unlikely flooding would occur, as high tides were not expected. There should be no problem with water drainage in the capital.
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