Thailand: Severe flooding in Prachantakham district (Prachinburi Province) Sept. 5

Event

In the early hours of September 5, torrential water from the Khao Yai National Park reached the Prachantakham district, inundating the area up to one-meter deep, flooding houses and forcing residents to relocate. Recent heavy rainfalls were so abundant that the sluice gates from the local Prachantakham barrage dam had to be opened to discharge water, which flowed into canals downstream and flooded massively the Prachantakham district. Prachinburi Province (east of Bangkok) is one of four provinces home to the 2,200-square-kilometre Khao Yai National Park.

Context

Flooding from monsoons and tropical cyclones are common in Thailand from May through October.

Advice

Individuals present in the Prachantakham district are advised to keep abreast of local weather forecasts, and adhere to any instructions issued by local authorities. Please be advised that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all food discarded.