Weather in Hua Hin & Thailand

[PeteC]

Flooding has paralysed many parts of the country
By THE NATION
Published on October 18, 2010

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/20 ... 40291.html

Flooding has paralysed many parts of the country including Nakhon Ratchasima, the gateway to the Northeast.

From noon yesterday, inbound and outbound train services between Bangkok and the North and Northeast have been suspended indefinitely in the wake of massive flooding.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, inundation has already affected more than 100,000 people. Jamlong Pinijkarn, who heads the Lam Phra Plerng irrigation project, said yesterday that the floods would likely drag on in the province for at least a week, while floodwater levels looked set to rise even further.

He warned people living downstream from the Lam Phra Plerng Dam to immediately move their belongings to higher ground.

In the worst hit areas, floodwater has already touched the 1.5-metre mark. The high floodwater level in Pak Chong district has prompted officials to cut electricity supply out of concern that people can get electrocuted.

Many flood victims are being housed in temporary shelters, while several others have been stranded in their homes.

A number of roads have become impassable to cars, and boats are now providing the only transport.

Even a main road like Mitrapap has been submerged. Cars and other small vehicles are advised against using Mitrapap, which leads directlyto Bangkok. More than 1,000 policemen were on hand along the road to guide motorists on which alternative routes they could use.

Due to limited equipment and resources, not all flood victims are receiving prompt help. Yesterday, hundreds of workers had to carefully wade through 1.3-metre-deep floodwater from the Navanakorn Industrial Estate to their homes in Nakhon Ratchasima's Sung Noen district. They had to undertake the task after being stranded at their workplace for more than 10 hours without any signs of help arriving.

The situation was also serious in Pak Thong Chai district. Many flood victims were waiting for help because relief items had yet to reach their flooded homes.

Due to heavy downpours, a number of provinces like Nakhon Ratchasima are suffering from floods.

Among them are Phichit, Nakhon Sawan, Si Sa Ket, Saraburi, Lop Buri, Sa Kaew and Ayutthaya.

In Sa Kaew, residents of Mueang Aranyaprathet municipality's area described the inundation as the worst flood in 13 years.

Due to the deluge, many trucks could not cross the border to deliver products to Cambodia's Poi Pet, causing about Bt50 million in damage each day, according to a customs official.

"On a normal day, more than 150 trucks deliver products," he said.

In Prachin Buri, rescue workers were on standby to help people cross a road safely in the face of rising floodwater.

"We have ropes for people to hold on to. We also have a boat to help out," a kamnan said.

In Si Sa Ket, patients had to wade through floodwater to get treatment at the Samrongkiat Health Station.

"Rooms on the first floor of our facility are flooded," the station's chief Arunrat Pinkham said woefully.

[PeteC]

Spitfire, you're our man on the ground up there. Are you experiencing any of this? Sounds as if the worst in decades. Pete

Korat.jpg (34.59 KiB) Viewed 936 times

Korat, Nakhon Sawan, Chaiyphum declared diaster zones
By THE NATION
Published on October 19, 2010

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/20 ... 40372.html

Flooding worsened in many provinces yesterday, causing deaths and upsetting hundreds of thousands of people's lives.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, hit by its worst flood in decades, five people have been killed and many thousands of homes submerged. Many businesses have been forced to shut and hospitals are struggling to cope.

The first floor of both Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima and St Mary Hospitals were under water.

Nakhon Ratchasima Governor Rapi Pongbuppakit called yesterday for help from relevant authorities and charity organisations, saying a large number of locals had been stranded in their homes without food and drinking water.

All 1,127 villages in the province were now declared disaster zones.

Top officials including Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday took helicopter flights to check the flooding situation in the province, also known as Korat, which is the gateway to the Northeast.

Big floods have wreaked havoc in many other provinces too.

In Chaiyaphum, flooding is the worst in 30 years, with more than 3,000 homes in Chaturat and Bamnet Narong districts flooded. The worse is expected when Chulabhorn Dam will soon release water now exceeding its capacity, putting Kaset Somboon and Phu Kheo districts at risk of high flood.

In Bamnet Narong district, many people were evacuated to higher ground along with their livestock in the face of rising floodwater. Over 200 roads were damaged, and more than 500 houses lost contact with the rest of the country.

In Chatturat district, the worst-hit spots saw floodwater rising well over two metres high. Marooned villagers were now desperately waiting for help.

The situation was bad also in Nakhon Sawan, with water one to two metres deep across the town (Mueang district).

"Floodwater was rising so fast," Manas Potiwat said, as his family camped out near the railway. "We are worried about poisonous animals that may flee to higher ground too but we have no other choice."

The Nakhon Sawan disaster prevention and mitigation office said as many as 68,000 people may have been affected. Close to 167 roads had been cut and 82,220 rai of farmland damaged.

All of Nakhon Sawan province has also been declared a disaster zone.

In Saraburi, floods have ravaged 13 districts, damaging farmland and property. Local governor Thavorn Prommeechai said the Phaholyothin Road was under 50cm of water. The province is about a one-hour drive north of Bangkok. He said run-off from the North would continue to flow south and trouble other areas.

The Royal Irrigation Department said total rainfall from October 14 to 16 was 104mm in Nakhon Sawan, 254mm in Lop Buri, and 175mm in Phetchabun. Heavy downpours meant many dams would have to release water into the Chao Phraya by Friday or before the high tide.

[PeteC]

More stories and photos on this disaster. Pete

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/2 ... jor-floods

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/2 ... tter-korat

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/20 ... 40361.html

[Spitfire]

Yeah, it's pretty bad on the northern side of town, especially around the St. Mary's hospital and bus station areas. I'm on the other side of town though where it's strangely dry, just one side of the city that's gone under. A lot of people been made homeless for a bit, handing out rations and all etc.

The by-pass was cut off but as of this morning has re-opened and Mittraparb Rd was cut of in Pak Chong about 50 minutes towards BBk from Korat. Also have to remember that Korat is the biggest province in Thailand so it has been spread out.

Some areas, including the city are in some geographical basins so flooding is common. This time though is pretty bad, 2 meters deep in some places.

We'll have to see if there is any more rain with this big typhoon headed towards Vietnam/China, could cause more problems.

[Big Boy]

Personally, I look like the proverbial lobster after wandering around Hua Hin yesterday. Today looks as if it's going to be just as hot and sunny here

[PeteC]

The Nation has a 2 minute YouTube slide show on the floods. Pete

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/20 ... 40471.html

[Nereus]

I have just driven down from Bangkok, came through Cha Am about 4-00 pm and the heavens opened up something fierce. Visibility down to about 50 meters, but no matter, just put on the hazard lights and get after it. One poor sod squashed on the road under his motor sai.

[Terry]

I have just driven down from Bangkok, came through Cha Am about 4-00 pm and the heavens opened up something fierce. Visibility down to about 50 meters, but no matter, just put on the hazard lights and get after it. One poor sod squashed on the road under his motor sai.

Situation normal then

[PeteC]

I think we're going to see some excitement in Bangkok over the next week. They have a convergence of all the flood water coming down the Chao Praya and an exceptionally high tide happening at the same time. The only other ingredient for disaster they're not sure about is additional rainfall in the city. Apparently in many areas they have sandbags to a height of 1.5 meters above the riverbank. What floor is your condo on Nereus? Pete

[BaaBaa.]

My missus reckons that she saw on the local news that a Croc farm in Korat was flooded and about 30 Crocs are loose on the streets!

[PeteC]

[pharvey]

My missus reckons that she saw on the local news that a Croc farm in Korat was flooded and about 30 Crocs are loose on the streets!

It's got to make for an interesting trip to the local 7-11

[BaaBaa.]

My missus reckons that she saw on the local news that a Croc farm in Korat was flooded and about 30 Crocs are loose on the streets!

It's got to make for an interesting trip to the local 7-11

Get me some fags and a crate while you're there?

[Big Boy]

Rain, floods, crocodiles - I don't care.

I've woken up to see Mr Sunshine wearing his hat, and a great big smile in Hua Hin again this morning Bring it on

[PeteC]

Rain, floods, crocodiles - I don't care. I've woken up to see Mr Sunshine wearing his hat, and a great big smile in Hua Hin again this morning Bring it on

You've picked a good time BB, as they're saying London is approaching freezing at night now. I imagine out of the city even colder. You may have snow on the ground when you get back. Pete