Downstream provinces face further flooding

This central province’s three districts, including Bang Rakham and Muang, have been inundated by run-offs from Sukhothai province, which is upstream of Yom River. 

While Phrom Piram and Muang saw less than 10 centimetres of water, the bowl-shaped Bang Rakham reported floods rising by 8cm. This district is expected to be flooded for about a month, an informed source said yesterday. 

Sukhothai Governor Jakkarin Plianwong visited the flood-hit tambon Pak Kwai in Muang district yesterday, which is under some 80cm of water. Apart from providing affected residents with 300 relief bags, the governor also handed Bt50,000 to the family of 51-year-old Phayao Khlaiya, who drowned in the flood on Sunday, and Bt33,000 to 81-year-old Sampeng Kaewsit, whose home was totally destroyed by inundation. 

Health Support Department chief Boonreung Trireungwarawat also presented 150 first-aid kits, which included life vests, to two villages in Pak Kwai. 

In Ayutthaya, provincial governor Witthaya Phiewphong said yesterday that some 800 homes along Noi River in Sena and Phak Hai districts were submerged. 

Pathum Thani governor Pongsathorn Sajjachonlaphun yesterday set up a round-the-clock monitoring centre. He added the banks of Chao Phraya River and the sluice gates in Sam Khok district showed that the water level had only risen by 20cm, which is not critical. 

Meanwhile, Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra inspected the drainage system at flood-prone Suwinthawong Road in Min Buri district yesterday. He pointed out that the Metropolitan Electricity Authority’s Min Buri Office and Min Buri Post Office faced the risk of being submerged as the road they are located on is lower than the Khlaong Sam Wa canal. Hence, he said, the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority would install water pumps there as a precaution. 

Deputy city clerk Sanya Cheenimit said during the rain season, the BMA would still be using sandbags over manhole covers in low-lying areas, including Suwinthawong Road.