Several provinces in the upper part of Thailand are taking a battering from the remains of tropical storm Bualoi, as floods have devastated vast residential areas, crippled infrastructure and inundated farmland close to harvest time.
In Loei in the Northeast, flash floods have caused widespread damage in four districts, affecting 221 households, two roads and a school. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said heavy downpours on Tuesday worsened the situation.
Wang Saphung district was the most severely affected. Floodwaters inundated several roads, leaving small vehicles unable to pass, said Pol Lt Col Khunthat Veerasakdikul, acting chief of the Loei Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, said that.
In tambon Nong Ngiew, 198 households were flooded, while 11 homes were damaged in tambon Khao Luang. In Ban Ang of tambon Phu Ho, Phu Luang district, power poles collapsed and agricultural roads were destroyed.
In Muang district, the Nabon-Kang Pla road was washed away. In Phu Rua district, flooding in tambon Tha Sala affected 12 households. Meanwhile, in tambon Loei Wang of Phu Luang district, Ban Loei Tat Phatthana School was inundated.
Authorities have urged residents to remain on alert for flash floods, overflowing rivers and landslides, especially those living near rivers, canals and foothills. Local officials and rescue foundations have been mobilised to assist residents and assess damages. Rapid-response teams have been deployed to provide aid around the clock.
In Uttaradit in the North, flooding has affected several districts after the spillway at the Khlong Tron reservoir overflowed, said Rawee Lekuthai, a Pheu Thai Party MP for the province.
Three districts – Thong Saen Khan (two sub-districts, eight villages), Nam Pat (two sub-districts, five villages), and Tha Pla (one sub-district, five villages) – are already underwater.
The main economic zone of Thong Saen Khan was severely affected, with floodwaters reaching 1.5 to 2 metres. Many households, vehicles and farm equipment were submerged. Some residents, trapped by the sudden floods, had to climb onto rooftops to await rescue.
In Phrae, heavy overnight rains caused flash floods in tambon Pa Maet of Muang district. Runoff from Pha Kham and Khamin creeks swamped agricultural land and homes in Ban Maneewan and Ban Ton Ha.
Local officials rushed to help residents move belongings to higher ground. Pa Maet municipality has distributed food, drinking water and essential supplies.
Rescue units from the Prasat Boonsathan Foundation in nearby Phitsanulok province continued evacuations in tambon Nam Ang of Tron district in Uttaradit. Flash floods intensified overnight, leaving residents stranded.
Using flat-bottom boats, teams evacuated children, elderly residents and patients to safety despite fast-moving waters. Some residents were forced to wait on rooftops until rescuers arrived.
In Chai Nat, downstream from the Chao Phraya barrage in Sapphaya district, rising water levels have forced at least 15 families to abandon their homes and build makeshift shelters along rural road 3018. Many roads are now reduced to a single lane as evacuees continue moving to higher ground.
22 provinces affected in total
All told, floods caused by heavy rain and overflowing waterways were affecting communities in 22 provinces, mostly in the Central Plains and Northeast, disaster mitigation officials said on Wednesday. They are:
Mae Hong Son (Mae Sariang and Sop Moei districts), Phitsanulok (Chat Trakan district) and Uttaradit (Thong Saen Khan, Nam Pat and Tha Pla) in the North.
Loei (Wang Saphung, Phu Rua, Phu Luang and Muang districts), Nong Bua Lam Phu (Non Sang district), Khon Kaen (Nam Phong district), Maha Sarakham (Phayakhaphum Phisai district), Surin (Sangkha district) and Nakhon Ratchasima (Khong district) in the Northeast.
Prachin Buri (Nadi and Prachantakham districts) in the East.
Flood levels were stable in Prachin Buri and were rising in Uttaradit. They were receding in eight other provinces.
Meanwhile, waterways overflowed in 13 provinces and affected 274,979 people. Four provinces in the North were affected:
Phitsanulok (Wang Thong and Bang Rakam districts) with declining flood levels.
Phetchabun (Lom Sak, Lom Kao, Muang, Nong Phai, Bung Sam Phan, Sri Thep and Khao Khor districts) with stable flood levels.
Phichit (Sam Ngam, Pho Thale, Pho Prathap Chang, Bung Narang, Bang Mun Nak, Thap Khlor, Muang, Khong Charoen and Sak Lek districts) with stable flood levels.
Nakhon Sawan (Chum Saeng, Muang, Phai Salee, Phayuha Khiri and Krok Phra districts) with stable flood levels.
Eight affected provinces are in the Central Plains:
Uthai Thani (Muang district) with stable flood levels.
Chai Nat (Sapphaya district) with stable flood levels.
Sing Buri (In Buri, Phrom Buri and Muang districts) with rising flood levels.
Ang Thong (Pa Mok, Wiset Chaichan, Chai Yo and Muang districts) with stable flood levels.
Suphan Buri (Muang, Bang Pla Ma, Song Phi Nong, Don Chedi, Doembang Nangbuat, U Thong, Nong Yasai, Sam Chuk and Dan Chang districts) with stable flood levels.
Ayutthaya (Sena, Phak Hai, Bang Ban, Bang Pa-In, Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya, Maha Rat, Bang Pahan, Ban Phraek, Tha Rua and Nakhon Luang districts) with stable flood levels.
Pathum Thani (Sam Khok and Muang districts) with declining flood water.
Nakhon Pathom (Bang Len, Muang, Sam Phran, Don Tum, Nakhon Chaisi, Kamphaeng Saen and Buddha Monthon districts) with stable flood levels.
The eastern province of Chachoengsao also had overflowing waterways in Bang Nam Prieo district, but flood levels were receding.