On July 6, the Mekong River water level in Ban Phan Lam district, Bueng Kan province was recorded at 8.6m, about 30cm higher than on July 5. Although still within the safe threshold, the sudden rise in water levels has prompted authorities to issue warnings to local people, especially in low-lying areas near the river.
The National Water Resources Office of Thailand (ONWR) said the rapidly rising water level was due to a combination of heavy rain across Bueng Kan and increased overflow water from Loei, Nong Khai as well as Laos.
ONWR said the persistent rainfall was due to the interaction of a low pressure system operating in Myanmar and Laos combined with the southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.
In an effort to prevent flooding, the Bueng Kan government has opened all floodgates near the international border gate to drain water from the urban center.
At riverside customs wharves, transport and passenger ships are advised to slow down, be vigilant against strong currents and obstacles such as waterlogging. The pontoon bridge has also been reinforced to avoid breaking the anchor.
The flash flood and landslide warning in Bueng Kan will be effective until July 12.
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) said there is a possibility of heavy rain in the North, Northeast, East and South in the next few days.
TMD calls on people living in low-lying areas to always be vigilant against the possibility of flash floods and sudden rising water from high ground.
A warning of waves up to 2m high will appear in the upstream of the Andaman Sea, while waves 1-2m high are forecast in the downstream of the Andaman Sea and upstream areas of the Gulf of Thailand. Small boats are advised to stay ashore.
Although Typhoon No. 2 Danas will not directly affect Thailand, it will intensify the southwest monsoon across the country until the end of July 7.
The Department of Natural Disaster Prevention and Control (DDPM) issued an emergency weather warning for 33 provinces, warning of heavy rain, flash floods, flash floods, landslides and rising water levels in major rivers, especially the Mekong River, from July 6-12.
Provinces that need to closely monitor weather forecasts are Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan and Tak in the North; Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Yasothon and Ubon Ratchathani in the Northeast; Chon buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat in the Central and Eastern regions; and Surat Thani, Ranong, Phangnga and Phuket in the South.
