Floods recede in Thai north, severe in northeast

BANGKOK, July 16 (TNA) - Flooding in Thailand’s northern Chiang Rai is seeing signs of relief, while flash floods continue to occupy northeastern Bueng Kan on Saturday.

People in Chiang Rai’s Mae Chan district returned home after water levels began to recede. Large-scale damage was still foreseen in the farm sector there however as corn and rice fields, including fish farms remain inundated since Friday.

The local Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office chief, Chettha Mosikrat, said he still doubted the flood situation at this stage, with water levels now brimming in major rivers in the area, namely Kok, Chan, Kham, Sai and Lao.

He urged people in designated disaster areas, especially Mae Chan, Mae Fah Luang, Chiang Saen, and Mae Sai, as well as those living near the hillside and river streams, to stay abreast for flash floods and landslides.

Meanwhile, heavy rains and flash floods continued to occupy Bueng Kan province, especially in Sriwilai district, devastating some 200 homes, and at least 2,000 paddy fields.

Rescue units and district officials have been dispatched with pontoons to facilitate evacuation there. (TNA)