Soldiers have been dispatched to Nan province, on the orders of Defence Minister Lt-Gen. Adul Boonthamcharoen, to help in the evacuation of flood victims and their valuable belongings to safer places and to support local officials in rescue and relief operations.
The defence minister flew to Nan province today to join Deputy Prime Minister and Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Minister Yodchanan Wongsawat, Agriculture Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit and senior government officials, who have been in the province since yesterday to assess and monitor the flood situation as the level of the Nan River is rises steadily.
At about 7.30am this morning, the Phumin-Tha Lee community, located in a low-lying area in the Muang district, is under 70cm-100cm of water from the Nan River. The famous ancient temple of Nan, Phumin Temple, is also under water today.
Residents of the community say, however, that they are used to flooding which happens every year, adding that they are well prepared to cope with the problem and have already moved their belongings to higher ground. Children and elderly people, as well as bed-ridden patients, have already been evacuated to safer places.
The Nan provincial public relations office reported today that the level of the Nan River flowing through Muang district remains stable at about 8.50 metres. The water level in Tha Wang Pha district is slowly receding.
Moderate to heavy rains were, however, reported in Thung Chang, Chiang Klang, Pua, Tha Wang Pha, Bo Klua, Santi Suk, Na Noi, Na Muen and Chaloem Phra Kiat.
