Flooding remains in several Thai areas

BANGKOK, September 23 (TNA) - Inundations have remained in several Thai areas, including those in the Lower North, the Northeast, the East and the central region, caused by continual monsoon downpours over the past several days. In Phichit province in the Lower Thai North, the flooding level in Thap Khlo district was nearly one meter deep on Monday morning and was further rising due to run-offs from the Phetchabun mountain range, causing heavy damage to a post office in the Khao Jet Luk locality. In the Northeast, the governor of Buri Ram province has declared seven districts flood-damaged areas, as about 2,400 households have been in trouble, 77 roads and five dams have been damaged and Nang Rong and Nong Ki districts have been under close watch for possible flood damage. In Si Sa Ket province, many communities have remained 1-2 meters under water, including Non Sawan and Non Samnak communities, causing local schools to have been closed indefinitely. A railway track between Samrong Tharp and Huay Thapthan train stations has also been flooded, with part of it lying between Si Sa Ket and Surin provinces, stretching over three kilometers long, has been submerged. All trains destined for Ubon Ratchathani province can reach only the Sikhoraphum station in Surin due to inundations. In Prachin Buri province in the Thai East, the Prachin Buri River has overflown and four local schools have closed indefinitely, as they have been over one meter under water. In the central Ayutthaya province, riverside temples have been heavily flooded, with Amphawa Temple in Bang Ban district, for instance, being over one meter under water. In Bangkok, the water level of the Chao Phraya river peaked at 1.63 meters, while its flow rate past the capital stood at 1,900 cubic meters per second, which was considered a normal level. The Meteorological Department, meanwhile, predicted downpours at 70 per cent of the capital's areas on September 23. (TNA)