BANGKOK, Aug 14 -- People living in low-lying areas in Thailand’s northern and northeastern regions are being warned of flash floods and water run-off from mountains during the current monsoon which is impacting the country, according to an announcement by the Meteorological Department.

The announcement said the moderate southwest monsoon prevailing over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf would bring isolated heavy rainfalls over the country.

People living in at-risk areas along hill slopes and near waterways are warned of flash floods during the next few days, it said. 

Heavy rainfall is expected in 15 northern and northeastern provinces, the department said.

In northern Phichit’s Sam Ngam district, heavy downpours led to an overflowing of the Yom River, forcing resident to evacuate to higher ground and to repair damaged boats for use in travelling by water.

Sewerage pipes in downtown Chiang Mai have been clogged due to heavy rain, leading the authorities to install water pumps to release floodwaters as a short-term measure, before installation of high-capacity storm sewers in the future.

Rubber planters in the eastern province of Chanthaburi have been unable to tap latex for over three weeks, with damage of over Bt200 million due to frequent downpours.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration permanent secretary Charoenrat Chatikarn inspected water drainage operations at a canal on the eastern flank of Bangkok in a bid to release flooded water into the Gulf of Thailand. Twenty pumps have been installed.  (MCOT online news)