Mekong may overflow second time

Meanwhile, the body of 61-year-old On Intiya, who was swept away in the recent flash floods in Huai Thanu village in Nan's Tha Wang Pha district, was found floating in

the Nan River early yesterday. Her son Wang Nongkaew identified the body.

Chief of the Water Resources Department Boontham Sirichai said water levels in the Mae Sai River were expected to rise over the next two days due to heavy rains in Burma. This, in turn, would increase water levels in the Mekong River, which had flooded Chiang Rai, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan early last month, he said.

Boontham said his office had sent 12,500 litres of drinking water and a mobile system to produce clean water to the devastated Huai Thanu village. In addition, officials also

cleaned 80 shallow wells that were damaged by floods.

In its morning forecast, the Meteorological Department warned residents in Chiang Rai, Phetchabun, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Phang Nga, Phuket and Krabi to be prepared for flash floods yesterday and today.

It said the low-pressure ridge over the central, eastern and lower-northeastern regions, coupled with the influence of the southwest monsoon, would trigger heavy rain in the provinces. The department also said 60 per cent of Bangkok would be

rained upon.

In Mae Hong Son, Pai district chief Weerasak Sirisith said many areas in his district were inundated, with many roads being damaged and some even made impassable.

He said authorities were making sure all riverside guesthouses remained closed to ensure tourists' safety. They have been closed for a month now.