Parts of Nakhon Phanom now a disaster zone
NORTHEASTERN Nakhon Phanom provincial authorities have declared five districts as a flood disaster area with floodwater being a meter high, INN News said today (July 31).
Deja Pholkla, head Nakhon Phanom’s Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, said floodwater from Sakon Nakhon province is still continuously flowing into Nakhon Phanom through the rivers and five districts, Na Kae, Wang Yang, Na Wa, Si Songkram and Renu Nakhon, have been declared flood disaster zone.
The authorities are closely following the situation in the remaining seven districts and if a crisis arises they too will be declared disaster area.
Floodwater is staying steady at a meter high but most of the flooding is in the farmland with 180,000 out of a total 1,300,000 rai submerged.
Officials have installed water thrusters and pumps at various points to quickly drain out the floodwater into Mekong river and think if it does not rain anymore the situation will return to normal in seven days’ time.
Nakhon Phanom governor Somchai Witdamrong opened a donation center to help flood victims in both Nakhon Phanom and Sakon Nakhon in front of the city hall.
According to his personal estimation, 2,000 households in his province have been affected by the floods.
Meanwhile torrential rainstorms last night in western Tak province’s Tha Song Yang district toppled power and communication poles triggering a blackout in one community.
Driving all night rainstorms in many areas of this district caused trees to fall over and knock down six power and communication poles at the entrance to Baan Mae Tuen community triggering a blackout but no injuries.
District chief Suebpong Nimpholsawat quickly liaised with Provincial Electricity Authority and concerned agencies to cut the power supply for safety and this morning is rushing to remove the trees and poles from the road with this expected to be completed by this evening when power will likely flow again.
CAPTION:
Top: Nakhon Phanom residents take a motorcycle to higher ground on a small boat. Photo: INN News
Inset: Toppled trees and a power pole in western Tak province. Photo: INN News
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