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Heavy Rain Swells Rivers, Causing Floods in Thailand
October 5, 2022 at 07:01 AM EDT
By The Associated Press
BANGKOK (AP) — Heavy rain in northern, northeastern and central Thailand worsened severe flooding in many parts of the country on Monday, as authorities ordered the release of water into already overflowing rivers from dams that were filled to capacity.
Many areas were already flooded from seasonal monsoon rains when the remnants of Tropical Storm Noru, which earlier tore through the Philippines and Vietnam, swept through parts of the country last week.
Among the areas hit by flooding were Chiang Mai, a large city and tourist center in the north, and Sukhothai, an ancient capital and archaeological site that draws many visitors.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported that floods had impacted at least 45,000 households in 35 provinces.
In Chiang Mai, provincial disaster officials warned people with homes near the Ping River to move their property to higher ground, even as some areas were already inundated.
Officials also issued urgent flood warnings to residents of the north-central provinces of Sukhothai, Phitsanulok and Phichit after the Yom River spilled over its banks.
In Ubon Ratchathani in the northeast, more than 7,000 people were moved into 60 shelters after the Moon River overflowed, as rescue workers waded through waist-high water to help residents evacuate.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
A resident paddles through floodwaters to reach the second story of his home in Ubon Ratchathani province, northeastern Thailand, Monday, Oct. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Nava Sangthong)
Many areas were already flooded from seasonal monsoon rains when the remnants of Tropical Storm Noru, which earlier tore through the Philippines and Vietnam, swept through parts of the country last week.
Among the areas hit by flooding were Chiang Mai, a large city and tourist center in the north, and Sukhothai, an ancient capital and archaeological site that draws many visitors.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported that floods had impacted at least 45,000 households in 35 provinces.
In Chiang Mai, provincial disaster officials warned people with homes near the Ping River to move their property to higher ground, even as some areas were already inundated.
Officials also issued urgent flood warnings to residents of the north-central provinces of Sukhothai, Phitsanulok and Phichit after the Yom River spilled over its banks.
In Ubon Ratchathani in the northeast, more than 7,000 people were moved into 60 shelters after the Moon River overflowed, as rescue workers waded through waist-high water to help residents evacuate.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
A resident paddles through floodwaters to reach the second story of his home in Ubon Ratchathani province, northeastern Thailand, Monday, Oct. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Nava Sangthong)