Khao Yai hikers warned of flash floods
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In the face of growing risk of flash floods, Khao Yai National Park has warned tourists to immediately move to higher ground if they notice that the water around waterfalls is turning murky.
The warnings follow a report by police in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Wang Nam Kheow district yesterday that local resident Udon Sodmai drowned in a flash flood while out searching for food in the forest during heavy downpours.
The warnings are being broadcast via the park’s internal radio system.
The national park’s chief, Krissada Homsamud, yesterday said officials were keeping tabs on the number of hikers and recording their cell-phone numbers before allowing them to go hiking for safety reasons.
“We have rapid-deployment teams on standby. If anything happens, rescue operations will start immediately,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department has warned people in 47 provinces to brace for heavy downpours and possible landslides.
Among the provinces most at risk are Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Nayok, Chachoengsao, Sukhothai, Chumphon, Udon Thani, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai and Satun.
Small fishing trawlers were advised against going out to sea in the upper part of the Gulf of Thailand due to rough weather and waves that are several metres high.
