Flood alert in Nonthaburi as dam releases more water
NONTHABURI residents living in low-lying areas outside the embankments on both sides of the Chao Phraya river got a flood warning late last night (Sep. 28) as Chao Phraya dam has increased water discharge to 2,000 cubic metres per second, TV Channel 7 said this morning (Se. 29).
Altogether 30 communities in this province adjacent to Bangkok were told to move their belongings to higher places amid looming floods.
Reporters from this TV channel went to Nonthaburi pier and found that the Chao Phraya river at the Clock Tower had risen two metres but fortunately residents had already prepared for flooding so there was not too much damage.
The Meteorological Department warned of unstable weather during Sep.29-Oct. 4 because a moderate high-pressure system from China will be moving down to cover the eastern part of the North and the Northeast of Thailand as well as the South China Sea. Meanwhile a monsoon trough will hang over lower North, lower Northeast, Central and Eastern regions while a weak southwesterly monsoon prevails over the Andaman Sea, the South and the Gulf.
This variable weather will likely bring gusty winds and isolated heavy rain in the North, the Central region including Bangkok and its vicinity and the East.
After that the temperature will drop by 1 – 3 °C with strong winds likely in the Northeast, moderate winds and waves in the Andaman sea and the Gulf with waves being about a metre high but rising to two metres during thunderstorms.
In addition, a tropical depression forming in the Pacific Ocean will intensify to a tropical storm and typhoon and is expected to reach eastern part of Taiwan and China during Sep. 30 and Oct. 2. Travellers were urged to check the regional weather before setting forth but this new storm will unlikely affect Thailand.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra went on an inspection trip to Chiang Rai and Chaing Mai on Friday and Saturday (Sep. 27 and 28).
She was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister/Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Deputy Prime Minister/Transport Minister Mr. Suriya Juangroongruangkit and a few other ministers.
Paetongtarn walked through the mud to Army Development Command in Chiang Rai where she was briefed on the flood situation and rehabilitation plan for this area. She then visited houses of some flood victims and enquired about steps being taken to remove mud from their homes and using high-pressure water pumps to do so.
She also met Ms. Tal Hongkham, 80, who wept and raised her hands above her head at meeting the prime minister saying she did not think she would get a chance to do so in her lifetime.
In the afternoon Paetongtarn and her entourage travelled to Chiang Mai and were told that Ping river’s water has dropped below the banks and rehabilitation efforts are being expedited. She then met some Red Shirt activists who wore T-shirts with her image and slogan “Ing FC” printed on it.
CAPTIONS:
First below: Chao Phraya river flowing through Bangkok. Photo: Thai Rath
Top, further below and Front Page: Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai over the past two days. Photos: Naewna
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