The Department of Public Disaster Prevention and Mitigation issued a warning today of possible flooding, river overflows and mud slides in 45 provinces across the country, from this Sunday until next Thursday, due to anticipated heavy rainfall.
According to the department, officials in the 45 provinces have been instructed to be prepared to cope with the impacts of the heavy rain and to be ready to provide help to people in need.
Tourists should refrain from visiting waterfalls or caves and from swimming in the sea. People in those 45 provinces are also advised to keep updated with weather conditions.
Meanwhile, officials from the Khao Yai National Park and the Conservation Area 1 Office of Prachin Buri walked the jungle route to the well-known Krok E-Dok waterfall today, in Kaeng Khoi district of Saraburi, to make sure it is safe and to warn tourists of the risk of flash floods while visiting the site during the wet season.
Recently, some tourists were told by the officials to leave the waterfall area immediately, after heavy rain resulted to strong currents in three streams downstream from the waterfall.
Chaiya Huayhongtong, chief of Khao Yai National Park, said that that the journey to the waterfall becomes hazardous at this time of year, when the streams become swollen and the currents are strong.
Yossawat Thiensawat, chief of the Conservation Area 1 Office, said he has instructed his officials to tie a rope or a sling across each stream to help tourists as they try to wade across.
He also said that a basic rescue training course has also been promulgated to villagers in the area, so that they are able to respond to emergency situations.
