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Houses, farmland under water, more floods warned in Thai north
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21:43, August 12, 2008
Floodwater has inundated more than 500 houses in three villages in Thailand's northernmost province of Chiang Rai, and destroyed over 3,000 rai (480 hectares) of crops, Thai media quoted officials as saying on Tuesday.
The authorities have reported that houses in Chiang Rai's Chiang Saen district are now under water of over two meters depth after the Mekong River overflowed its banks, and there is no sign that it would recede, the Thai News Agency reported.
A section of the road of over one kilometer linking Chiang Saenand Chiang Khong districts is also under water, making it impassable for any vehicles.
Relief workers have been sent to help flood victims as the water level in the river keeps rising.
Authorities have urged villagers living near the Mekong and twoother rivers in the province to pack up their personal effects to get ready for immediate evacuation to higher ground.
Meanwhile, Thailand's Meteorological Department on Tuesday issued a warning, urging residents of northern and northeastern provinces to prepare themselves for heavy rains and possible flooding.
The department said a low pressure ride over the North and Northeast would result in heavy rains in most areas of northern and northeastern regions, and cause flash floods in several provinces, especially Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Prae, Lampang, Uttaradit, and Phetchabun Tuesday until Wedneday.
The department also warned that the Mekong and other rivers could overflow the banks from Tuesday to Wednesday, causing flooding in Chiang Rai, Loei, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan provinces.
Source:Xinhua
