Landslide warnings issued in the north
Landslide warnings were issued in 10 northern provinces today, while Bangkok’s 1,200 riverside households located outside the flood barrier are bracing for flood conditions tonight.
Somboon Kositanon, director of Lampang's mineral resources office said Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Phrae, Nan, Phayao, Uttaradit, Tak, Mae Hong Son and Lamphun - especially areas near mountains or rivers were at risk of landslides after abnormally large accumulations of rainfall this year.
The office sent officials to survey atrisk villages and instruct residents to watch out for warning signs of landslides, while also setting up a landslidewatch network of community people throughout the rainy season.
Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said the Chao Phraya river was expected to peak at 9.47pm today at 1.70 metres.
He said 1,200 families in 27 communities outside the flood barrier would be affected. He instructed sandbags and wooden planks be prepared and to ask temples and schools to prepare to serve as temporary shelters in case of evacuation.
By The Nation
Published on August 16, 2011