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Governor Suthee Boonmak said the authority would open eight gates of the dam to drain a large amount of water and to prevent flash flooding over residential areas.

Heavy rain has covered 10 districts, three sub-districts, 70 tambons and 727 villages. More than 10,000 residents have been affected by floods and more than 60,000 agricultural areas are under water. Flash floods also damaged 73 roads and four bridges.

The most affected areas are in Phibun Mangsahan district because these areas had to contain water from two districts and the dam officers had already opened dam gates on Friday to drain 263 million cubic metres of water.

The provincial governor expressed concern about Det Udom district and Na Yia sub-district because these areas are close to the Lam Dom Yai River and are prone to flash floods.

Monsoon rains have also affected Loei province. Saneh Nonthachoti, chief of Phu Kradung district, said the rain had hit Phu Kradung's residential and agricultural areas. There were 660 residents and 512 households affected though fatalities and disappearances had not been reported.

However the authority reported that 1,761 rice fields had overflowed and 565 fish farms, 25 roads, six bridges and 24 check dams were affected. The total costs were Bt1.9 million.

Heavy rain also affected other parts of country. Toeng Lebsangwaan, a resident of Wiang Thong village in Chiang Mai's Muang district, said she was preparing to clear her house and move herself and her family to a higher place. She complained that there had been no assistance from local officials.

Chiang Mai mayor Duentemduang na Chiang Mai had in fact launched a plan to protect the city from flash floods. The plan was to plant Vetiver grass for 3,100 metres along the river and to fill 200,000 sacks with mud from the river to create a wall against the water.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department reported that the southwest monsoon is still active over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, and heavy rain would continue in the eastern part of Thailand. Residents in this area should be prepared for downfalls.

The department said waves two- to three-metres high were also expected in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand and all ships should proceed with caution.

Bangkok and the nearby provinces have also experienced storms. The amount of water is expected to increase in coming days so agriculturists should prepare for flash floods by digging canals around plantation areas to drain water.

The department also warned about the spread of plant diseases in the rainy season.

The Nation