Flooding has spread to many parts of the country as a tropical storm moves closer to Thailand.
Mindulle was approaching Vietnam as of press time.
Under the influence of this storm, heavy rain poured down in Thailand's Upper Northeast yesterday. In Sakon Nakhon, floodwater rose so high more than 900 prisoners had to vacate the first floor of their facility and crammed into the second floor only and lost access to their toilets.
The weather bureau has warned Mindulle will bring heavy rain to both the North and Northeast. People living along watercourses at the foot of mountains were warned to brace for possible flash floods.
In Sukhothai in the North, the overflowing Yom River flooded more than 500 rai of paddy fields and over 100 houses. Locals had to move their belongings to higher ground and were on alert around the clock.
Deputy head of the Royal Irrigation Department Weera Wongsaengnak said he had instructed all project chiefs to consider releasing water from dams to ensure dams can accommodate rain and run-off from higher ground.
"The water discharge done carefully so it doesn't affect people down river."
He said RID officials had machines, tools and pumps ready to help affected people in the event of flooding.
Water Resources chief Kasemsan Jinnawaso said his department had installed early-warning systems at 1,011 sites and they could sound sirens when risks were detected.
Asked about a report that the early-warning system failed to alert people in Lampang, Kasemsan said the flooding there took place outside the working range of the system.
The department hopes to complete its plan to install the early-warning system in 2,370 villages next year.