Heavy rain, rising Mekong flood Nakhon Phanom’s Muang district

Heavy rain, measured at 107.9mm, lashed Muang district of Thailand’s northeastern province of Nakhon Phanom early this morning, causing widespread flooding in the municipal area.

Municipal officials said the drainage of floodwater from the township into the Mekong River had been hampered by the rising water level in the river.

Roads and many houses and shops in the municipal area were flooded, damaging furniture, electrical appliances and other belongings as owners were caught unprepared by the sudden arrival of floodwater.

Governor Adisak Noisuwan and city mayor Niwat Jiaviriyaboonma ordered officials to operate eight large water pumps to help drain floodwater from the township.

Military personnel have also been deployed to help officials from the disaster prevention and mitigation office distribute sandbags to protect houses and shops from flooding and clear garbage from clogged drains to accelerate drainage.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department, in its 24-hour weather forecast, warned of isolated heavy rain in the northern, northeastern, central and eastern provinces due to a monsoon trough hovering over northern Laos and strengthening southwesterly monsoon winds over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf.

The department said Typhoon Dolphin, which is moving towards China’s Zhejiang province today and tomorrow, would not affect Thailand.

Air passengers are advised to check weather updates before travelling to the affected region.