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Published on October 12, 2007

Surat Thani Governor Winai Buapradit declared Phra Saeng district a disaster zone and ordered an alert in Koh Samui, Ban Na San, Phanom, Vibhavadi, Kanchanadit, Khiri Ratthanikhom, Wiang Sa, Tha Chana, Don Sak and Chaiya districts.

In the Northeast, water overflowing from the Lam Pao Dam has flooded 50,000 rai of farmland in Kamalasai, Khong Chai and Rong Kham districts.

Kalasin Governor Pracha Jitsutthipol yesterday delivered 500 bags of relief supplies to nearly 1,000 families of Ban Khamkha in Sahatsakhan district whose homes were flooded by 1.5-metre-deep run-offs from the dam three days ago.

Pracha instructed officials to drain the flooded farmland and to inspect water barriers along Chi River that are feared to have reached bursting point. He said the provincial irrigation authority was able to drain 10,000 rai of farmland yesterday using 50 water pumps.

Continuous rainfall in Kalasin, Udon Thani and Sakon Nakhon is reported to be sending 50 million cubic metres of water into Lam Pao Dam each day, forcing it to release 30 million cubic metres, which is causing extensive flooding in downstream areas.

In Ubon Ratchathani, the Moon River rose and inundated riverside homes in Muang, Warin Chamrap, Don Mod Daeng, Sawang Weerawong and Phibun Mangsahan districts. An official said the 18-metre-long Kudsrimangkala Bridge in Warin Chamrap was severely damaged.

Meanwhile, many residents of Ban Khok Chang in Tambon Aranyik of Phitsanulok's Muang district, which was declared a disaster zone last week due to heavy flooding, are still living in roadside tents because their homes are standing in two metres of water.

Ladda Khiewcharoen, 52, said some 20 families including hers had moved their belongings to the roadside tents and another 40 were staying at a local temple while the tambon administration worked out how to drain the area.

The 70 flood-affected families yesterday received assistance from the Red Cross Society and the Interior Housewives' Club.

 The Nation