"Wutip" reaches Thailand, causes more floods

NAKHON PHANOM, THAILAND, October 1 (TNA) - Storm Wutip has reached Thailand's northeastern Nakhon Phanom Province, bringing incessant and torrential downpours and strong winds, as well as more inundations in many provinces. Water levels in the Mekong River have been rising since Storm Wutip reached Nakhon Phanom on Monday night. In Phon Sawan District, strong winds sank a 100-meter-long and 30-meter-high illuminated boat in the river, built by locals for the province's upcoming traditional illuminated boat procession. Storm Wutip has also caused the Chi River to overflow and inundate five districts of Chaiyaphum Province, also in the Thai Northeast, isolating people in many villages and forcing all affected municipal schools to have been closed. Besides, a section of the Mitraphap Highway in the Lahan locality of Chatturat District has been 30-40 centimeters under water and is impassable to small vehicles. Heavy downpours were predicted in Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Kalasin, Nong Khai, Bung Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Udon Thani, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Loei, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Phitsanulok and Phetchabun Provinces, all in the Northeast, except the latter two which are in the Lower North. In the eastern Prachin Buri, earlier floods have been receding in the Si Maha Phot Municipality of Si Maha Phot District, about 50 centimeters lower than September 30, prompting locals to now clean their properties. However, floodwater has been flowing from Si Maha Phot to Prachantakham District, causing affected areas to have been submerged by 50-80 centimeter-deep-floodwater. (TNA)