More districts in Bangkok’s neighbouring province of Nonthaburi have been declared flood disaster zones, as the swollen Chao Phraya River has been steadily rising and threatening to breach the flood walls.

A few hours earlier, only Pak Kret district, covering six sub-districts, had been declared a flood disaster zone.

Governor Suthee Tongyam issued an order yesterday (Friday), designating Muang and Bang Yai districts as flood disaster zones, which will empower the governor to make emergency use of its budget to deal with floodwater and to help people affected.

The Muang district covers the Muang, Sai Ma, Bang Krang and Si Muang municipalities, the Bang Phai Tambon Administrative Organisation and Bang Rak Noi Tambon Administrative Organisation.

The Bang Yai district covers six sub-districts, namely Bang Mae Nang, Bang Muang, Ban Mai, Bang Len, Bang Yai and Sao Thong Hin.

Meanwhile, in the north-eastern province of Khon Kaen, the provincial administration has advised people living downstream of the Ubol Ratana Dam to move their valuables to higher ground and to prepare for evacuation, as approximately 50 million cubic meters of water is to be discharged daily through the dam from today.

Khon Kaen Governor Kraisorn Kongchalad took a helicopter,with irrigation officials today, to observe the water situation in the reservoir behind the Ubol Ratana Dam and nearby areas.

He said the volume of water in the reservoir has now reached a critical level, making it necessary for more water to be discharged, adding that, since October 2nd, an average of 187 million cubic metres of water have been flowing into the reservoir each day, while only 41 million cubic metres of water are being discharged.

The volume of water in the reservoir is now estimated at 3.01 billion cubic metres, which is about 500 million cubic metres above its storage capacity.