Several Thai areas at risk of flash floods, landslides

CHIANG RAI, THAILAND, July 8 (TNA) - People in several Thai areas, especially those in the Thai North, are now at risk of flash floods and landslides, caused by continual downpours. Continual torrential downpours more than 24 hours in the northern Chiang Rai Province, particularly in Chiang Saen District, have caused a runoff from Doi Mae Ab to flood local households in Baan Pa Teung of Chiang Saen's Baan Saew Sub-district, prompting local authorities to have dispatched urgent assistance to affected villagers. The local authorities have also issued a warning for people in Chiang Rai's 18 districts at risk to beware of and watch out for possible sudden inundations, flash floods and even landslides, while preparing themselves for an evacuation for a safe place around the clock. In Nan Province, also in the Thai North, soldiers from a mobile military development unit have been mobilised to assist villagers in clearing out their belongings and cleaning their houses in areas hit by a flash flood on Monday, while public health officials in Bo Klua District have provided medical checkups for the affected villagers and educated them on how to prevent and cope with water-borne diseases. In the Thai South, a powerful south-western monsoon is hitting Andaman coastal areas from July 8-11 with high waves offshore expected to be as high as 3-5 metres high. Disaster prevention and mitigation offices in the affected provinces have warned local trawlers to be more careful, while small boats should stay ashore for the time being. People in flood-prone areas have also been warned of consequent impacts from heavy downpours, namely sudden flooding and possible landslides. In the southern Trang Province, in particular, current strong wind and waves have prompted villagers in four affected districts to take shifts to monitor sea water levels, while households on Li Bong Island, where up to three-metre-high waves washed up to shore, have already had water splashing into them. (TNA)