Flood in Phitsanulok’s Bang Rakam likely to last another month

PHITSANULOK, Sept 25 – Phitsanulok’s Bang Rakam district is likely to be under water for another month before receding in late October as it is a low-lying area and holds the floodwaters from upstream districts, the Phitsanulok irrigation chief said today.

Bundit Inta said the Yom River in Bang Rakam district was measured at nine metres height today, two metres above the river bank.

The volume of floodwater in Bang Rakam is currently some 150 million cubic metres. Flooding here, which began September 9 will end in late October and farmers will be able to start off-season rice cultivation.

Meanwhile, Phitsanulok governor Chairote Meedaeng said the flood receded in parts of the provincial seat and Phrom Phiram district except downstream Bang Rakam district where flooding continues as the upstream water mass continues to flow into the district.

Flood operations centres were set up at three flood-hit districts to deliver help to local residents.

Local authorities are draining water from the swollen Yom River into the relatively less Nan River.

Regarding flooding in the eastern province of Prachin Buri, opening sluice gates helped ease flooding in Kabin Buri district and the Prachin Buri River has continued to drop lower.

Prachin Buri governor Chittra Promchutima said that the water level in the Prachin Buri River dropped by 60cm to 11.10 metres Tuesday. Flooding in the municipality is receding after the opening of sluice gates sped up the draining of floodwater.

In Si Maha Phot district, flood rose slightly by five centimetres following last night’s heavy rain. The Thachum market is under 70cm of water.

In the provincial seat, the water level in Prachin Buri River is stable and is not overflowing into the community, although it exceeds the critical level by 24cm. (MCOT online news)