Clean-up begins as floods pass through Nan

Nan Hospital closing until Saturday, emergencies to be handled at field hospital

NAN – Rehabilitation work is beginning in upper and central districts of this northern province as floodwaters from the overflowing Nan River move south, governor Chainarong Wongyai said on Thursday.

The hard-hit upstream districts of Pua and Tha Wang Pha, where fierce storms dumped up to 380 centimetres of rain on Wednesday, were drying out on Thursday, as clean-up workers and volunteers moved in.

According to the governor, floodwaters have now reached Muang (central) district and Phu Phiang district, on the opposite side of Muang district across the Nan River. The water level in the river there peaked early Thursday morning and was declining, he said.

Embankments played a significant role in protecting Muang district, where water levels ranged from 10 to 50cm. Storm drains overflowed and workers were pumping water back into the river. The governor expected the water would be gone by Thursday evening.

However, Nan Hospital in Muang district will close until Saturday. Officials said emergency patients only would be cared for at its field hospital in the compound of the provincial public health office. Several schools in Muang district were closed on Thursday.

Meanwhile, floodwater was flowing past embankment-free Phu Phiang district, opposite Muang district.

Mr Chainarong said floodwater would hit the last downstream district of Wiang Sa, with a peak expected at about 2pm on Thursday.

Flooding is likely in low-lying areas of Wiang Sa but its main economic zone is protected with flood walls.

Provincial officials are also mobilising resources to provide flood victims with food and drinking water, Mr Chainarong said.

Two people were reported to have died in strong storm runoff in Pua and Tha Wang Pha districts on Wednesday.

The overflowing Nan River near Muang and Phu Phiang districts on Thursday. Photos: Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation