People in low-lying areas, particularly at the foot of mountains, in five provinces in the lower Northeast have been warned of possible flash floods and forest run-off over the next few days.
The southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand coupled with easterly winds could trigger heavy downpours in the region, said Kriangsak Ket-in, senior meteorological officer for the lower Northeast.
He said people in areas along foothills near waterways and in other low-lying areas in Nakhon Ratchasima, Surin, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen and Ubon Ratchathani should brace for flooding.
An irrigation official said heavy downpours starting in July had helped fill four major reservoirs in Nakhon Ratchasima: Lam Takhong in Sikhiu district; Lam Phraploeng in Pak Thong Chai district; and Lam Sae and Lam Mun Bon in Khon Buri district.
Following the rains, officials at Lam Takhong, Lam Phraploeng and Lam Sae reservoirs were able to release water for agricultural use and consumption in irrigated areas after not having done so for over four months.
As of Thursday, Lam Takhong had 90.45 million cubic metres of water, or 27% of its holding capacity, Lam Phraploeng was at 41.5% of its capacity with 45.54 cubic metres of water, and Lam Sae was likewise at 41.5% capacity with 114 million cubic metres of water. Despite the increased water level, officials at Lam Mun Bon reservoir were unable to release water because it was only at 24.7% capacity, with 35.19 million cubic metres of water.
Thada Sukabunnaphan, director of the Hydrology and Water Management Centre in the upper North, said the Ping River would not overflow and flood downtown Chiang Mai.
The water level in the Ping at Nawarat Bridge was measured at 2.3-2.4 metres yesterday, lower than the 3.75-metre level, which is considered critically high, said Mr Thada.
Despite the centre's assurance, Chiang Mai municipality officials yesterday delivered sandbags to residents in areas prone to flooding from the Ping. Mayor Thatsanai Buranuporakorn yesterday ordered municipal officials to monitor the river's water level.
In Chiang Mai's Hang Dong district, run-off from Doi Suthep mountain inundated many houses and agricultural areas yesterday.
Run-off triggered by two days of heavy rains flooded Pong and Nong Kwai villages in Hang Dong district. The water reached as high as 50 centimetres yesterday morning before receding.
In Phitsanulok, flash floods combined with the release of water from Sirikit Dam into the Nan River swept away a riverside raft selling products from the One Tambon, One Product (Otop) programme.
The 10-million-baht raft, which had been built by provincial authorities and placed in front of Wat Phrasri Mahathat Voramahaviharn temple to promote Otop products, was badly damaged as a result.
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