Thailand – Floods in North East Affect 700,000

Flooding has affected wide areas of north eastern Thailand over the last few days, leaving as many as 15 people dead and 700,000 affected.

Some northern areas experienced heavy rain from 18 to 22 July, increasing levels of the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom province.

Since then, an active low pressure area following tropical cyclone Sonca brought further heavy rain from 26 to 29 July, 2017.

Flooding in 10 Provinces

Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) reported on 02 August, 2017, that at least 10 provinces, mostly in the north east, are affected by floods and flash floods.

Fifteen people have died over the last few days, including 9 in Sakon Nakhon, 4 in Roi Et and 2 in Mukdahan.

DDPM reports that flooding remains in Yasothon, Kalasin, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Ayutthaya, Amnat Charoen, Ubon Ratchathani, as well as Sakon Nakhon and Roi Et. Over 700,000 people are currently affected.

Sakon Nakhon – Worst Floods in 20 Years

Sakon Nakhon is the worst hit area, where heavy rainfall between 26 and 29 July caused flooding that has affected 426,037 people and left 9 dead.

Severe flooding has been reported in the districts of Mueang Sakon Nakhon, Phanna Nikhom, Waritchaphum, Khok Si Suphan and Charoen Sin.

The Thai Met weather station at Sakon Nakhon Agromet (Mueang Sakon Nakhon district) recorded over 330 mm of rain in 3 days. Levels of Nong Han, a large lake situated near the town of Sakon Nakhon, increased rapidly, prompting officials to release water into the Kan River, which in turn overflowed flooding areas along the river banks.

Local media reported that Huai Sai Khamin reservoir in Mueang overflowed, flooding nearby areas.

DDPM reported that over 1,000 houses have suffered damage and over 100 schools have been closed. Rice fields, crops and livestock have also suffered severe damage.

According to local media the provincial governor called the flooding in the province the worst in 20 years, and said the crisis was exacerbated by runoff from Phu Phan mountain.

23 Deaths Since Early July

DDPM said that over 1 million people in 7,713 villages in 44 provinces have been affected by flooding across the country since early July. A total of 23 people died in flooding during July 2017, including the most recent deaths in Sakon Nakhon, Mukdahan and Roi Et.

The fatalities occurred in Maha Sarakham (4), Udon Thani (2), Sisaket (1) and Khon Kaen (1), as well as the deaths in Sakon Nakhon (9), Roi Et (4) and Mukdahan (2).

As of 02 August, disaster officials said that the flood situation had been resolved in 34 provinces.

Rainfall Figures

Figures from Thai Met for a 24 hour period:

26 July

• Sakon Nakhon Agromet – 45.3 mm
• Khon Kaen – 91.4 mm
• Mahasarakham – 132.1 mm
• Mukdahan – 74.6 mm
• Tha Phra Agromet – 82.2 mm
• Kalasin – 151.1 mm
• Roi Et Agromet – 193.0 mm
• Roi Et – 159.0 mm

27 July

• Sakon Nakhon Agromet – 149.8 mm
• Sakon Nakhon – 130.1 mm
• Tha Phra Agromet – 104.0 mm
• Kalasin – 100.6 mm

28 July

• Sakon Nakhon Agromet – 142.3 mm
• Sakon Nakhon – 180.3 mm

29 July

• Nakhon Phanom – 99.4 mm

Breaking NewsThailand