The rising level of the Mun River, in Thailand’s north-eastern province of Ubon Ratchathani following heavy rain last night, has forced provincial officials to replace their preventive plans with those for evacuation, in anticipation of more heavy rain when Tropical Storm Noru hits the province tonight.

This morning (Wednesday), the water level in the river had risen by about 13cm from yesterday and has started to emerge through drainage system in the municipal area of Muang district.

The Catholic community, which is located in a low-lying area, is experiencing flooding from water rising out of the drainage system.

Officials have expressed concern that the sandbag flood wall may not be able to hold back the swollen Mun River, with more heavy rain expected this evening as storm Noru approaches the province from Laos.

In Warin Chamrap district, which will be the first to be hit by the storm tonight, municipal officials sent a truck, equipped with loudspeakers, today to advise people in the municipal area to prepare to evacuate to higher ground.

The Mun River, which passes through this district, has risen about 20cm in the past 24 hours.