NAKHON PHANOM, Thailand – Heavy rains flooded streets, homes and shops in the northeastern border province on Sunday. Crews pumped water as all 14 southern provinces got orders to brace for floods.
A monsoon trough over upper northern Thailand and Laos dumped relentless rain from around 5am. The total hit 107.9 millimetres.
Drains overwhelmed by 107.9mm deluge
Drainage systems could not cope. Main roads and side streets went under water that seeped into houses, shops and restaurants.
Washing machines, fridges, gas stoves, mattresses and other belongings were wrecked.
Traffic chaos as water rises 40cm
On some city streets the floodwater stood 30 to 40 centimetres deep. Cars and motorbikes conked out trying to plow through.
Rescue teams hauled vehicles to safety and directed traffic. Residents of several communities begged for sandbags to shield their homes. Authorities warned more heavy rain could trigger fresh floods in vulnerable areas.
Mekong swells to 10.78 metres
The Mekong River rose 20 centimetres from Saturday to 10.78 metres. That left it 1.22 metres below the 12-metre warning mark where overflow threatens.
But the higher water slowed drainage from tributaries and the city’s sewer system into the Mekong. Governor Adisak Noisuwan and Mayor Niwat Jiawiriyaboonma ordered an urgent multi-agency response.
Eight pumps battle the flood
At least eight big water pumps roared to life at key discharge points along the Mekong. They aimed to flush water out of flooded urban areas faster.
Disaster relief workers backed by soldiers handed out sandbags and monitored the situation round the clock. Teams cleared trash from clogged drain grates and helped residents.
River districts Ban Phaeng, Tha Uthen, Muang Nakhon Phanom and That Phanom — plus communities along tributaries — were told to stay alert. If heavy rain continued, they should move valuables higher and shift livestock to safe spots.
South Thailand put on high alert
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul put Deputy PM Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn in charge of preparing for possible floods across all 14 southern provinces.
Deputy government spokeswoman Ploytalay Laksmeesangchan said immediate and long-term water management measures must be set up.
Phiphat instructed governors to hold disaster drills, designate evacuation shelters and flood-safe parking areas, and coordinate with state agencies, local administrations and volunteers.
said the report. Irrigation authorities must adjust water releases to local conditions. The rainy season on the Andaman coast usually runs May to October, on the Gulf of Thailand coast October to January.