Cell Broadcast alerts issued as flood risks rise in Phetchabun and Ubon Ratchathani

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) issued urgent warnings on Thursday (August 20) for parts of Phetchabun and Ubon Ratchathani, where residents face risks from flash floods, rapid run-off, landslides and rising water levels in the Mekong River.

Cell Broadcast alerts were sent to communities in both provinces through cooperation between the DDPM and mobile network operators AIS, True and NT.

Heavy rain threatens Lom Kao district

In Phetchabun, the DDPM warned residents of Lom Kao district after heavy rain accumulated over two to three days and continued to fall.

The conditions could trigger flash floods, rapid run-off, mudslides, overflowing waterways and waterlogging along canals and streams, in low-lying areas and on foothills.

The areas placed under particular surveillance were Sila, Tat Kloi, Na Sam and Hin Hao subdistricts, as well as nearby communities.

Residents were advised to move belongings to higher ground, relocate vehicles and secure valuables and important documents.

They were also warned of the risk of electric shock in flooded areas and urged to closely assist vulnerable people, including older residents, people with disabilities and bedridden patients.

The DDPM and the three mobile network operators sent Cell Broadcast warnings directly to phones in Sila, Tat Kloi, Na Sam and Hin Hao subdistricts.

Mekong expected to overflow in low-lying areas

In Ubon Ratchathani, the DDPM said the Mekong River was continuing to rise and could overflow into low-lying riverside communities between August 20 and 25.

The warning covers areas in Khemarat, Si Mueang Mai, Pho Sai, Khong Chiam and Na Tan districts.

People living in low-lying communities along the Mekong were advised to move belongings and vehicles to higher ground, monitor vulnerable family members and follow information from local authorities closely.

Cell Broadcast alerts were issued for the following areas:

• Khemarat, Na Waeng, Kham Pom and Kaeng Nuea subdistricts in Khemarat district
• Nam Thaeng subdistrict in Si Mueang Mai district
• Song Khon, Lao Ngam and Samrong subdistricts in Pho Sai district
• Khong Chiam, Na Pho Klang and Huai Phai subdistricts in Khong Chiam district
• Phra Lan and Na Tan subdistricts in Na Tan district

Members of the public can report an emergency or request assistance through the Line account @1784DDPM or the DDPM emergency hotline on 1784, available around the clock.

Personnel and disaster-response equipment mobilised

The DDPM is also accelerating the deployment of personnel, machinery and disaster-response equipment to assist affected communities.

Chatchadaporn Boonpreeranat, deputy director-general of the DDPM, said heavy rain across northern Thailand had caused rapid run-off, flash floods and rivers to overflow.

Flooding remained active in four districts of Nan province: Pua, Tha Wang Pha, Phu Phiang and Santi Suk.

A total of 24 subdistricts and 99 villages had been affected, involving 13,132 households and 30,313 people.

Two deaths had been reported, one in Pua district and the other in Tha Wang Pha district.

The DDPM director-general instructed agencies to follow Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s orders on flood preparedness and response.

Where flooding occurs or is expected, officials must arrange for vehicles and high-value property to be moved out of risk areas in advance to minimise possible losses.

Authorities must also prioritise vulnerable residents and evacuate them from threatened communities to safe locations before conditions deteriorate.

Provincial agencies were told to coordinate closely with irrigation offices and district chiefs to analyse flood trends and estimate how long water would take to reach downstream areas.

The information must then be passed to the National Disaster Warning Centre so that advance Cell Broadcast alerts can be issued to residents in areas expected to be affected.