Flash floods cut roads in northern Thailand; Rice fields damaged

REGIONAL DESK, Aug 29 -- Villagers in northern Thailand have been evacuated to higher ground while crops are damaged and a number of roads have been flooded, cutting off some areas from the outside world floods caused by heavy rainfall and water runoff from nearby mountains continue to trouble the region.

In Phrae province, 10 villagers were carried away by flash floods while they watched water runoff hitting their village and damaged a concrete bridge. Nine were able to swim to shore, but another was swept away but retrieved by rescue workers one kilometer downstream.

The 52-year-old woman was sent to a hospital in Rong Kwang district for treatment.

Emergency officials said flooding in other northern provinces including Phitsanulok, Phichit and Chiang Mai remained critical as heavy rains continued. Floods in some areas were over one metre deep, impassable for vehicles.

Many village homes in Phitsanulok are under water and floods had destroyed over 10,000 rai of rice crops. Several villages were cut off from the outside world. Emergency officials declared Noen Maprang district a disaster zone and warned villagers to prepare for evacuation to higher ground as flash flood along with water runoff from a mountain are expected soon.

Over 500 houses in Phichit province are now flooded. The main road linking the province with Phetchabun is submerged and vehicles cannot pass through.

In the northern city of Chiang Mai, over 20 spots in the heart of the city are flood-affected as provincial authorities are pumping the water.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in his weekly address on state television in Bangkok early Sunday asked the public to pay attention to weather reports from the Meteorological Department closely as more heavy rains are expected.

Mr Abhisit said he had ordered the pertinent ministers and government agencies to provide help to affected people. (MCOT online news)