Local authorities Friday warned residents in Phitsanulok's economic zone to brace for imminent flooding as water level in a local river was dangerously rising.

The Phitsanulok disaster prevention and mitigation office and Nakhon Phisanulok Municipality issued the stern warning yesterday to people living in town, especially those living on the banks of the Nan River that flows through several areas.

The local irrigation office said the brimming river could overflow in the next one or two days because an upriver dam had been releasing a large amount of water.

"We have to be on alert," Deputy Phitsanulok Governor Santi Krusuansombat said yesterday. He convened a meeting of relevant agencies to prepare measures to cope with flooding. 

In another province of Phetchabun, the furious torrent of floodwater swept away a man while another victim died of electrocution. Both town and farmlands were flooded.

In Tak's Sam Ngao district, the rising water level in the Wang River caused an alarm among local authorities. Sandbags now formed temporary embankment along the river, as local people packed their belongings in preparation for immediate evacuation in case flooding hit.

Meanwhile, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) suspended its train services between Chiang Mai and Bangkok on September 1 and 2 pending track repairs in floodhit Phrae and Lamphun.

Source