Continuous rains fill dams to the brim

Following a meeting of related agencies yesterday, caretaker Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Anongwan Thepsuthin said authorities were keeping an eye on Kanchanaburi's Sri Nakharin Dam, Nakhon Nayok's Khundan Dam and Rayong's Pra Sae Dam because they had reached 80 per cent of their capacity. Downstream residents have been warned of floods.

The government was also invited to use the department's Mekhala Centre as a command hub.

Though the flooding so far is not as bad as last year's, continuous rain in all regions as well as water from the mountains is leaving residents inundated, Water Resource Policy Office director Supoj Towijakchaikul said.

About 110mm of rain hit Khao Yai National Park in a mere 24 hours, he said.

Since the weather bureau has already issued warnings of heavy downpours over two to three days, the Mekhala Centre calculated the amount of water expected and the areas it will hit, permanent secretary Saksit Tridech said. The centre would work with the Royal Irrigation Department to release water from major dams and prepare 1,329 square kilometres of waterretaining areas in Angthong, Suphan Buri and Ayutthaya.

In Surin, 60metre deep floods forced Sikhoraphum Pisai School in Sikhoraphum district to close for three days and a 32yearold resident, Nuch Hongngam, was electrocuted as she was trying to unplug an electrical device in her flooded home.

Floodwaters from the Phu Phan Mountain Range made Kalasin's highway 2287 (Dong LuangKhao Wong) impassable. The flood also damaged many roads, marooning several villages and 100 rai of local tapioca plantations in neighbouring Mukdahan.

In Khon Kaen, the School of the Blind director Komol Malaithong said most of the students had to be moved up to the school's second floor.

The districts of Ban Mi and Muang in the central Lop Buri province are still submerged and the Red Cross Society has delivered 1,000 relief bags to floodaffected residents. Caretaker Deputy Education Minister Boonlue Prasertsopha visited three flooded schools in Tambon Khao Samyod and delivered 200 relief bags to the students and parents.

In Phitsanulok's Muang and Wang Thong district, many schools were shut down for students' safety.

Fourteen Northeastern provinces were also warned of heavy downpours and flooding. They were Loei, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Sakhon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Roi Et, Yasothon, Si Sa Ket, Amnat Charoen, and Ubon Ratchathani.