North, northeast on high alert as Mekong River waters rise

Authorities in northern and northeastern provinces remain on high alert following continuous rainfall, with several provinces bordering the Mekong River accelerating drainage efforts, installing pumps and warning residents in low-lying areas to prepare for flooding.

In Chiang Mai, heavy downpours continue to be monitored, with the highest rainfall recorded yesterday in Chiang Dao district at 36.1mm. Despite the rain, the Ping River running through the provincial capital remains stable.

Water levels at the P1 gauge at Nawarat Bridge were recorded at 2.40 metres and are projected to peak between 2.70 and 2.80 metres this afternoon, well below the critical threshold of 4.20 metres.

Irrigation officials have cleared drainage channels, deployed water pumps in high-risk zones and assigned personnel to monitor the situation around the clock.

Further east, in Nakhon Phanom, the situation along the Mekong River remains critical as water levels have risen to 11.98 metres, leaving a margin of just two centimetres before reaching the official warning threshold.

Provincial authorities have deployed 26 water pumps to 13 key locations to expedite drainage.

Flooding in Sri Songkhram district has already affected roughly 20 homes and inundated approximately 480 hectares of agricultural land, prompting warnings for low-lying communities to monitor updates closely.

In Nong Khai, Mekong River water began to recede slowly overnight after holding steady at 11.31 metres throughout yesterday. The water level fell to 11.20 metres early this morning, dropping at a rate of 1 to 3 centimetres per hour.

Nonetheless, as the river level remains higher than the municipality's drainage gates and outlets, the gates stay closed to prevent backflow.

Municipal workers have stationed heavy-duty pumps at 10 locations and remain on 24-hour standby to prevent flash floods in the event of further heavy rain.

Meanwhile, rising river levels in Bueng Kan have triggered overflows into Pak Khat, Mueang Bueng Kan, Bungkla and Bueng Khong Long districts.

The gauge at Ban Phan Lam registered 12.55 metres following a 25-centimetre increase, leaving several sections of road impassable and submerging over 80 hectares of farmland.

Provincial authorities have installed real-time cameras to track water levels while advising residents to stay vigilant.

In Mukdahan, officials are closely watching the Mekong as water levels approach the danger zone. The river stood at 12.14 metres yesterday, roughly 40 centimetres below the critical limit.

Local authorities have placed emergency pumps on standby and are monitoring vulnerable low-lying zones, including the Indochina Market and riverside communities along local creeks.

The Mekong's water level in Mukdahan is forecast to rise by an additional 50 centimetres, to 1.50 metres, between today and Saturday.