Prachuap Khiri Khan ordered at the ready for rain, flood mitigation

Governor orders ‘boots on the ground’ to assess disaster-prone, risk areas in Thap Sakae, Sam Roi Yot, & all districts

THAP SAKAE: Anticipating excess rain in the coming days, Prachuap Khiri Khan governor Sathien Charoenruen has ordered all concerned officials to proactively  inspect and address all potential problem zones. 

Thailand’s governors were summonsed at the end of September to coordinate disaster readiness in response to tropical storm Noru, which initiated incessant rain and subsequent flooding throughout mainland Southeast Asia this past week.

Acting on the governor’s orders, Prachuap Khiri Khan Vice Governor Kittipong Sukhaphakdkul on October 4 led a team of concerned officers to inspect two risk zones in Thap Sakae district including:

1. The “Roong Fa” (which means rainbow) u-turn in Na Hoo Kwang sub district ตำบลนาหูกว้าง
2. A “water-erosion” (prone) area in in Moo 10 community of the Khao Lan sub-district ตำบลเขาล้าน

The inspectors comprised provincial prevention and mitigation officers, local vilage chiefs and headmen, who were led by Thap Sakae district officer, Mr. Samnan Thongsri and Mr Chaiyachan Mulmak, senior district chief.  Officers reviewed flood potential situation and and discussed with provincial government representatives disaster mitigation and response plans and needs.

As initially reported on October 2 by TriCove.Asia here, Prachuap Khiri Khan is anticipated to receive above-average rain in October, which is historically its rainiest month. There is also a high probability that 2022 will be the province’s rainiest year on record. Parts of Thap Sakae, Bang Saphan and Mueang districts recorded anomalous rain events in February and May this year.

In related news, Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Sam Roi Yot District was among several localities listed to be in the direct trajectory of incoming heavy torrential rain systems, according to radar-based forecasts issued by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation on October 5.

Aside from Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Sam Roi Yot, other districts mentioned in the warning advisory were Bangkok’s Thung Khru, Rat Burana, Bang Ko Laem and Yannawa districts; Nakhon Pathom’s Nakhon Chai Sri district; Samut Prakarn’s Mueang and Prakanong districts; Chonburi’s Mueang, Panthong and Panasnikhom districts; Nakhon Sri Thammarat’s Kanom, Tha Sala, Thung Song, Cha-uad, Chulaphon, Rong Phiboon, Lan Sapha, Phra Phrom, Chalerm Phrakiet and Pak Panung districts; Patthalung’s Kuan Khanoon, Pa Phrayom and Sri Bunphot districts; and Trang’s Ratsada district.

Provincial DPM officials last week informed governor Sathien that 139 disaster refuge centers have been established across the Prachuap Khiri Khan in anticipation of rain-induced floods.

In Thailand, to report disaster related emergencies, call the Disaster Presentation and Mitigation Department hotline on 1784, and 191 for all general emergencies.