An elderly woman has been electrocuted near her house, in the Aranyaprathet district of Thailand’s eastern province of Sa Kaew, as she was wading along a flooded lane without realizing that a high voltage power cable had broken and fallen into the water.
Widespread flooding is reported in the province, described as the worst in nine years, while neighboring Prachin Buri and Chachoengsao have also been hit, as a result of heavy rain over the past several days.
Dr. Rachet Choengpanom, Director of Aranyaprathet District Hospital, said that several water pumps have been installed around the facility, to remove water which is leaking from drains in the compound due to the water level on the flooded road outside. Sand bags are also being used to try to hold back the flood waters.
Flood waters are still rising in Aranyaprathet today, making travel by car almost impossible. The army has deployed a number of trucks to provide free transport to office workers and officials. Three schools in the municipal area have closed temporarily.
In Chachoengsao province, the swollen Bang Pakong River has broken its banks and partially submerged nearby houses and the municipal area.
In Prachin Buri province, excess water, from the swollen Hanuman and Phra Prong streams, has inundated about 50 houses in Kabin Buri district.
Three tambons, in Phanom Thuan district of Kanchanaburi, are also flooded and a bridge and a weir in subdistrict Rang Wai collapsed due to the strong currents. A large area of farmland is also under water.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday visited flood-affected people in Pak Thong Chai district of Nakhon Ratchasima, which is facing some of the worst flooding for several years, caused by the swollen Lam Phra Ploeng River.
The water level in the Lam Takong Reservoir, in the Muang district, is report to be rising steadily and it is almost at full capacity.
