Thailand Issues Flood and Landslide Warning Amid 22 Deaths

Author: Dian Kencana
August 27, 2024

People watch flooding in Mae Sai district of Thailand's Chiang Rai province on Aug 19. Chiang Rai is one of the five northern provinces that still face flooding. (Public Relations Department)

SEAToday.com, Bangkok - On Monday (26/8), Thai authorities said 22 people died and 19 others were injured in flash floods and landslides across the country over the past week as rains pounded the region.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said the floods affected more than 33,000 households in 13 provinces since August 16. Authorities warned some provinces of further risks. 13 people were killed by landslides on the southern island of Phuket last week, including a Russian couple and nine migrant workers from Myanmar.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Deputy Governor Wissanu Sapsompol said Bangkok City Hall continues to monitor water levels in various parts of the Chao Phraya river and share data with the Royal Water Department, the National Water Administration Center and ONWR.

“The flow (of the Chao Phraya River) passing through Bang Sai district in Ayutthaya is not at an alarming level today. The water runoff from Nan is expected to take about five days and we will know at least two days in advance before the water from Bang Sai reaches Bangkok,” Wissanu said.

“I actually don't want people to worry too much (about flooding) because City Hall has been monitoring the situation closely and we will issue warnings to the public in advance.”

Wissanu said the government has reinforced and increased the height of flood walls along the Chao Phraya with sandbags to prevent flooding. Manpower and flood protection infrastructure such as sandbags and water pumps are already available in at-risk areas to help people in emergencies, he said.

Severe flooding is still occurring in a number of northern provinces. The mitigation agency expects the tropical depression to strengthen until Wednesday and will cause more rain in the northern, northeastern and southern provinces.