Directors of public disaster prevention and mitigation centres in all northern provinces have been ordered to watch out for flash floods and landslides in the wake of possible heavy rains now until Monday.

The northern provinces which are likely to face heavy rains include Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Phrae, Phayao, Lampang, Lamphun, Uttradit, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Tak, Phitsanuloke, Phichit and Phetchabun.

The Meteorological Department forecast rains in the northern, northeastern and central regions yesterday until Monday with heavy rains in some areas as a result of the looming low pressure cell compounded by southwestern monsoon wind prevailing over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf.

In Nan province, search and rescue workers have suspended their operation on Saturday after bodies of eight villagers of Ban Huay Kharb, Tambon Bo Klua Nau of Bo Klua district had been recovered from a huge mass of mud which buried their house as they were asleep last week.

However, about 200 villagers of Ban Huay Kharb who were evacuated to a temple about five kilometres way have been told to stay put at the shelter there until officials are sure that it is safe for them to return.

The villagers were ordered immediately evacuated after officials found a 200-metre long crack on the mountain above the village and they were afraid that the crack might lead to a landslide if there are more rains.