Yala faces worst flooding in twenty years

The Mueang district of southern province of Yala is facing the worst flooding in about two decades, as the Provincial Public Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office is advising people in Betong, Than To, Bannang Sata, Kabang, Yaha and Krong Pinang districts to brace for possible mud slides and flash floods.

Heavy rain over the past 24 hours has caused the Sai Buri River to overflow and flood several communities today, as residents frantically move their valuables to higher ground.

Municipal officials have been pumping water from the Bae Moh lake into the Pattani River to ease flooding in the downtown area.

Officials say, however, that the Bang Lang reservoir is only 53% full, with an estimated at 774.55 million cubic metres of water and ample room to accommodate more.

In Tarn To district, police and local officials have set up road barriers and a lighting system to warn motorists of a mud slide, which has closed one traffic lane.

An electrical blackout was reported in several villages in Tarn To district, following the collapse of utility poles during the storm.

In neighbouring Songkhla province, Kanchavanich Road, linking Hat Yai with Songkhla’s Muang district, was closed today due to heavy flooding in several places. Motorists are advised to switch to Lop Buri Ramet Road instead.

More than 100mm of rain has poured into several districts, namely Hat Yai, Mueang, Saba Yoi, Thepha, Chana, Na Thawi and Sadao, in the past 12 hours and the rainfall continues.

Yesterday, the Water Resources Office reported 32mm of rainfall in The Pha district, 276mm in Hat Yai and 19mm in Na Thawi district over the previous 24 hours.