Nearly a third of Thailand’s provinces are flooded

Officials in Thailand warned Monday that monsoon rains may expand flooding that has hit 27 provinces, or nearly a third of the country’s provinces.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported that tropical storm Tianmu over the weekend swept through northern Thailand, causing flash floods that affected nearly 60,000 families.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha and several Cabinet members on Sunday (26/9) visited the northern region of Thailand, to Sukhothai Province, to meet flood victims and distribute aid packages.

Authorities said 12 provinces along the banks of the Chao Phraya River, including Bangkok and the old capital Ayutthaya, should prepare for new floods as water levels rise.

The governor of Bangkok repeated the warning. Noting that the situation was not yet critical, he said the city was carefully operating the sluice gates and pumping stations. [uh/lt]