UBON RATCHATHANI, Sept 25 – Extensive flooding in this northeastern province prompted the provincial deputy governor to declare 16 districts disaster zones to speed up urgent relief efforts.
Sutthipan Boonmee declared the 16 districts disaster zone as residents of 165 households were forced to flee their homes to higher ground.
Meanwhile, the State Railway of Thailand resumed normal operations serving the province today after a brief suspension due to the flooding of the tracks.
Ubon Ratchathani stationmaster Pradith Karunrat said on Wednesday that flood-stranded train stations resumed normal operation today after rail tracks in Warin Chamrap district and between Huay Tap Tan station
to Samrongtab district in Surin province were inundated for three days.
Only a small number of passengers were carried, with the 136 Speed train, Ubon Ratchathani-Bangkok reported to be the first train to leave the station. Officials have remained on alert against possible flooding near the rail tracks.
Meanwhile, water levels in the Mun River near Seree Prachatippatai Bridge in Ubon Ratchathani’s Muang district rose by 32 centimetres, reaching eight metres today, now at the speed of 3,040 cubic metres per second.
Some 165 families of five communities along Mun River in Warin Chamrap district and Ubon Ratchathani City Municipality have so far fled their homes to temporary shelters being set up at the Warin Chamrap Land Office, with the help from over 100 provincial civil servants. Flat boats, large trucks and other necessities were provided to assist the flood-affected local residents.
