Cyclone triggers floods in Thailand by Nina Ridge
Continuous torrential rain has lashed Thailand’s northern provinces over the past few days causing widespread flash flooding.
Over 4000 acres of cropland were under one-metre deep floodwaters and road links between other communities have been cut off. Violent flash floods hit three villages in the Wangshin district, severely damaging hundreds of homes and sweeping away the livestock of many farming families.
Old Bangkok International Airport (Don Muang) received 72mm (2.83 inches) in a 27 hour period from Sunday, which is just less than half the monthly average. Much of the rain fell in three hours during a heavy thunderstorm.
The recent bout of heavy and prolonged rainfall across the country is due to a developing cyclone out in the Bay of Bengal. The cyclone is expected to make landfall in neighbouring Myanmar in the next few days, bringing further heavy rain to northern provinces of Thailand.
The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department has warned 13 provinces in the north to remain on alert and prepare for evacuation in the event of flash floods.
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