Three people have drowned in floodwaters in the Sena and Bang Ban districts of the central province of Ayutthaya, as the water level in the Chao Phraya, Pasak and Noi rivers, as well as in the network of canals, is steadily rising.
The Chao Phraya Dam in Chainat province is discharging 2,200m3/s of water into Ayutthaya, while the Pasak Jolasid Dam in Lop Buri province is releasing 550m3/s of water into Saraburi and Ayutthaya provinces, with a plan to increase the rate to 650m3/s. The Rama VI Dam, in Tha Rua district of Ayutthaya, is discharging 533.09m3/s.
The Village 2, in Ban Krathum sub-district of Sena district, has reportedly been flooded for more than a month now, forcing residents to relocate to upper floors. To get out of their flooded houses, they have to do so through upstairs windows.
Sawaeng Srinangyam, one of the villagers, said that he chose to stay in the flooded house to take care of his bed-ridden mother, while other family members have already relocated to temporary roadside shelters.
Sangwien Srinangyam, 87, complained that her family has to endure flooding every year, adding that it is inconvenient for her to move elsewhere.
The Meteorological Department reports today that typhoon Ragasa, packing wind speeds of 185kph at its centre, is forecast to make landfall in Hong Kong tonight and then head for the southern coast of China, towards Hainan Island and the Bay of Tonkin at about 1am on Thursday.
Then the typhoon will weaken into tropical storm as it hits northern Vietnam and further weaken quickly as it converges with a cold weather system from China. It will continue to weaken into a low pressure cell, according to the Weatherman, adding that Thailand will be spared.
Most of Thailand, including Bangkok, with the exception of the southern provinces, will face heavy rain though, from today until Friday.
