RID and DPM on high alert as more harsh weather expected

Thailand’s Royal Irrigation Department (RID) and Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DPM) have both been placed on high alert in response to tropical storm Son Tinh, which is expected to spread harsh weather across the north and northeastern regions of the country.

Waters from Phu Hin Rong Kla mountain range in Loei province have already flooded parts of Phitsanulok province’s Nakhon Thai district, shutting down seven schools, prompting the evacuation of 100 students and damaging over 16 hectares of farmland.

Students at Na Pho Na Jan School have had to build a sand bag barrier to protect their school from heavy flooding. DPM Region 9 Office’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) carried out evacuations of students from harder hit schools and flat bottom boats have been dispatched to help transport residents contending with flood waters. Locals have been warned that more flash flooding and landslides may take place.

Meanwhile, the RID has integrated its work with other units to repair an earth dam in Roi Et province. Forty sheet piles, 800 Big Bags and 400 sets of Gabion have been transported to the site of the damaged dam to reinforce it. A 10 meter section of the dam was damaged and more is under threat due to continued rains and fast flowing water. Repairs are expected to take one to two days.

The DPM has put 34 provinces throughout the nation on alert for inclement weather and has prepared rapid response teams to deal with emergency situations. Piers and marine police have been put on high alert over fears of danger to fishermen.

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