Four provinces warned of flash floods

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, September 18 (TNA) -- The continuous downpours caused by Vamco storm have increased the level of water sources within the Khao Yai National Park, prompting the national park's chief to warn surrounding provinces to be aware of sudden flash floods. Head of the Khao Yai National Park of Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, Kanchit Srinoppawan said the ongoing downpours since September 16 have caused the national park to see rainfalls as high as 110 millimetre in the early morning (Sep 18), which has in turn, caused the level of water sources there to also reach their maximum capacities, and filling up the lands within the national park with water. Mr Kanchit pointed out that if the national park were to see more downpours in the next few days, areas located below the national park could be severely affected, as sudden flash floods could occur. He added that he has sent out warnings to the provincial offices of disaster prevention and mitigation in Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, and Saraburi to be prepared for sudden flash floods around the clock, as the rapid flooding could also inundate local villagers' homes. The national park chief further advised tourists to strictly adhere to the national park's current warnings, especially those that prohibit visits to the national park's waterfalls. At the same time, head of the Doi Inthanon National Park of Chiang Mai province, Pornthep Charoensuabsakul has announced the temporary closure of the Klang and Mae Ya waterfalls, due to the high level of precipitation of around 80 millimetres, which has caused rapid water flow. The national park has also coordinated with concerned agencies on the monitoring of the level of rainfalls in the area, in order to forewarn the public as quickly as possible, as the province is continuing to see heavy downpours. Vice Governor of Rayong province, Veerawat Sudsuk, meanwhile, reported that the flooding situation in Tap Mar subdistrict of the provincial seat is improving, as the sky has cleared up today. He stressed that if the province does not see more rainfalls in the next couple of days, everything should return to normal. He said that the province has presently set up two flood emergency centres, one at the Tap Mar Municipality Office and the other at the Makro shoppingmall of the province to provide first hand assistance to affected victims. The vice governor said inundations in the province, have overall improved, especially in Samnak Torn district, where flooding only remains in some locations there, as well as in Moo 3 of Tap Mar subdistrict. The flooding situation in Map Ta Phut municipality has also improved, said the vice governor, adding that the excess water which could not be drained out previously has all been drained out successfully. The province is also set to carry out a big cleaning day to clean up the province once the situation returns to normal, informed the vice governor. (TNA)