Mr. Montri Luengingkasoot, deputy director-general of Thailand’s, Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), reported today (Wednesday) that the Geo-Hazards Operation Center is keeping a close watch on situations which may lead to landslides in risky areas across the country, especially in the North.

The DMR has taken its usual measures, including strengthening local networks to handle emergency situations during the rainy season, when landslides become a natural threat to many.

The DMR has recently conducted surveys and found that 54 provinces, 332 districts and 1,084 tambon are at risk of landslides this year. The North, in particular, has the highest chance of landslides from May to September, due to the south western monsoon and tropical cyclones crossing the country.

The South, especially foothill areas, will face landslides from September to December due to the northeast monsoon.

Mr. Montri explained that the DMR considers whether the areas meet one of the three criteria when deciding if they are at risk; whether they have high slopes, are misused for plantation or an have unusually high amount of rain.

He added that, due to heavy rain forecast for the end of June in the East and on the West coast of Southern Thailand, the DMR is placing Trat, Chanthaburi, Pang-nga, Ranong and Kanchanaburi on a close watch for landslides. Other watch zones include Chanthaburi, Srakaew, Pang-nga, Ranong, Suratthani, Chumpon, Nan, Phrae, Phetchabun and Tak as heavy rain is predicted during the latter part of July.

Other areas on landslide watch include Nan, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Tak, Loei, Nongkhai and Ubon Ratchthani. The DMR will issue daily reports gathered from local networks.

The general public can access the DMR’s daily situation report via its SMS Application, Line and Facebook to keep track of information in their location.