Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior revealed the disaster situation nationwide. Currently, there are affected areas in 12 provinces, 39 districts, 182 sub-districts, 797 villages, and 30,073 households. He ordered governors nationwide to notify areas to monitor the situation. He also emphasized that the hotlines 1567 and 1784 are ready to help people 24 hours a day. Today (September 15, 2024), Mr. Suttipong Juljarern, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, as Deputy Commander of National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, revealed that from the disaster situation report of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Ministry of Interior at 6:00 a.m. today, it was found that the situation still exists in 12 provinces: Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Tak, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Nong Khai, Loei, Ang Thong, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, and Prachin Buri, totaling 39 districts, 182 sub-districts, 797 villages, 30,073 households were affected, as summarized below. Chiang Rai Province has been affected in 6 districts, 29 sub-districts, and 147 villages: Mae Sai District, Mae Fah Luang District, Mae Chan District, Chiang Saen District, Chiang Khong District, and Mueang Chiang Rai District. A total of 51,865 households were affected and 13,877 rai of agricultural land was affected. In terms of public health assistance, mobile clinics have been planned in the affected villages and in shelters to provide close care to those affected. From today until September 18, 2024, the rehabilitation plan will be implemented through a major cleaning in Chiang Rai City and the Chiang Rai Provincial Hall. Local leaders from districts that were not affected by the disaster have been requested to help clean the buildings and houses of the people. Mae Hong Son Province was affected in 2 districts, 2 sub-districts, and 4 villages: Sop Moei District and Pang Mapha District. 79 households were affected. For assistance, Mae Hong Son Province has set up 4 shelters and 2 assistance centers. The Mae Hon g Son Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office will take care of vulnerable groups and repair electricity. In addition, relief bags have been provided to disaster victims in Mae Sam Laep Sub-district, Sop Moei District, Mae Hong Son Province. Items and relief bags have been provided to bedridden patients who requested assistance from the Mae Hong Son Provincial Red Cross. Currently, the volume of the Salween River has started to decrease, but it is still necessary to monitor if the rain continues to fall heavily. Nan Province was affected in 1 district, Wiang Sa District. Heavy rain caused flash floods to overflow into the houses of people in Ban Nam Mueb, Village No. 1, Nam Mueb Subdistrict, Wiang Sa District, Nan Province. 25 houses were damaged. No one was injured or died. Currently, the damage is being inspected. In terms of initial assistance, officials have helped the affected villagers. The situation is now back to normal. The Governor of Nan Province has instructed all parties to close ly monitor the situation. Tak Province has been affected in 4 districts: Phop Phra, Mae Sot, Mae Ramat, and Tha Song Yang, totaling 11 sub-districts and 31 villages. 720 people were affected, with no injuries or fatalities. Currently, the water level of the Moei River has receded. For initial assistance, a flood command center has been set up at the scene of the incident at the foot of the 1st Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge to provide assistance to flood victims in the area, including sending food boxes to flood victims in various houses. In addition, the governor of Tak Province has instructed relevant officials to take full care of and assist the affected people and has arranged for officials to closely monitor the Moei River situation. Sukhothai Province, the flood situation has improved. Currently, the flood situation still exists in Kong Krailat District, where there is still flooding in the agricultural areas of the people in 13 sub-districts, 15 villages, 198 households. And in Khiri Mat District, th e overall situation is not worrisome because most of the flooded areas are fields that can absorb water. The governor of Sukhothai Province has ordered all sectors to urgently restore and help the people. He has mobilized local leaders, local administrative organizations, and the military to help clean up and move things back to their homes. Phitsanulok Province has 5 districts to watch out for: Nakhon Thai, Wang Thong, Noen Maprang, Bang Krathum, Bang Rakam, Phrom Phiram, which may experience high flooding. The latest water level of the Nan River, the volume and water level, has started to decrease from yesterday. The situation is normal. The Sirikit Dam and the Kwae Noi Bamrung Dan Dam have a large amount of water flowing in and storing. Additional water must be released to be within control. The province will survey the assistance to previously affected areas and must ask the people in the area to watch out for the situation, especially areas with high slopes, and to prepare to move belongings to higher g round and be careful of electricity in low areas that may flood. Phetchabun Province has 4 affected districts: Chon Daen District, Nong Phai District, Bueng Sam Phan District, and Mueang Phetchabun District. The water level situation is stable and decreasing. Rainfall is under continuous surveillance. No rain clusters were found in the area. The situation will return to normal soon. The governor of Phetchabun Province has ordered relevant agencies to take action. The district chief commands the incident by warning all districts. Continuously monitor the situation of flash floods, forest runoff, and overflowing rivers. Prepare tools, equipment, machinery, military equipment, and personnel ready to provide assistance 24 hours a day when requested. The public is also asked to follow news and monitor the government 24 hours a day. Nong Khai Province has 5 affected districts, the most affected being in Phon Phisai District where the water level has now started to recede. The area under surveillance is Mueang Non g Khai District. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, visited the area to monitor the relief efforts and ordered all parties to integrate their forces to solve the problems and help the people effectively. The provincial governor ordered the village security team and village health volunteers to look after the shelter area to maintain security and provide 24-hour security guards. Initially, relief bags were provided to help the people. Once the water level recedes, the areas affected by the flood will be further developed and improved. Loei Province has been affected in 2 districts, namely, Pak Chom District and Chiang Khan District. Because Pak Chom District is a low-lying area, 3 sub-districts flooded by the Mekong River are mostly agricultural areas. There are 7 houses, 1 house is heavily flooded, and they have moved their belongings to higher ground. In the agricultural areas, the Loei Provincial Agriculture Office has surveyed the damage. As for Chiang Khan District, 4 sub-districts have been affected. Today, the Mekong River level is 16.35 meters, an increase of 0.5 meters at the watchpoint or critical point of 16 meters. In some places, the bank level is 19.19 meters, the critical low point is 16 meters. Today, the Mekong River has overflowed and pushed into the waterways of 4 sub-districts in Chiang Khan District, which are mostly agricultural areas. There are 2 hotels, 2 resorts along the Mekong River, which are completely flooded. Business owners have been ordered to move their belongings to higher ground for safety. In both districts, 7 sub-districts and 18 villages were affected, with 7 houses damaged. Ang Thong Province, overall water levels are continuously decreasing. The water level of the Chao Phraya River (in front of the city hall, Mueang District) at the embankment level of 10.00 meters, has a water level of 5.26 meters, a decrease of 0.22 meters. The water level of the Noi River (behind Wat Tum, Muang Tia Subdistrict, Wiset Chai Chan District) at the emba nkment level of 6.50 meters, has a water level of 4.48 meters, an increase of 0.03 meters. And the water level of the Noi River (Moo 9, Soi 4, Bang Chak Subdistrict, Wiset Chai Chan District) at the embankment level of 5.00 meters, has a water level of 4.06 meters, a decrease of 0.05 meters. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province has been affected by flooding in 7 districts: 1) Phak Hai District, 13 sub-districts, 75 villages, 2,582 households; 2) Sena District, 11 sub-districts, 77 villages, 3,403 households; 3) Bang Ban District, 14 sub-districts, 66 villages, 3,756 households; 4) Bang Sai District, 21 sub-districts, 88 villages, 2,587 households; 5) Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, 11 sub-districts, 30 villages, 584 households; 6) Bang Pa-in District, 11 sub-districts, 71 villages, 1,847 households; and 7) Bang Pa-han District, 1 sub-district, 4 villages, 61 households. The total areas affected by flooding in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province are 7 districts, 82 sub-districts, 411 villages, and 12,820 househ olds. Prachin Buri Province has flooding waiting to be drained in about two sub-districts, Ban Phra and Mai Khet, in Mueang Prachin Buri District, with about 200 households affected. In Prachin Buri Province, there has been a rehearsal for flood and storm response plans. There has been a division of tasks in each area to provide assistance to people in the area, with an emphasis on providing assistance safely and without loss of life. During the rainy season, there may be floods and storms in some areas with strong winds. We have been closely monitoring the areas of Khao Yai National Park and various mountains. If there is a lot of flooding, we will issue periodic warnings to prepare for evacuation and assess the situation at all times. We ask that our brothers and sisters listen to news and keep in touch. The Central Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command has informed the governors of provinces at risk to monitor the situation and warn people in risk areas in advance and to closely monitor the amount o f rainfall, including monitoring areas at risk of heavy rainfall or areas with accumulated rainfall, which may cause flooding. For natural tourist attractions, it has also ordered responsible agencies to issue announcements/install warning signs for people in coastal areas and machinery and equipment to help people in case of disasters in a timely manner. People can request assistance via the Damrongtham Center hotline 1567 and the Safety Hotline 1784, which officers are ready to provide assistance 24 hours a day," Mr. Suttiphong concluded . In addition, information from the National Disaster Warning Center on September 15, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. has warned risk areas to prepare and monitor as follows: Chiang Rai Province prepares for overflowing riverbanks and flooding Loei, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom and Bueng Kan provinces prepare for rising Mekong River levels Nan, Loei, Maha Sarakham, Trat, Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun provinces should watch out for flash floods, mudslides and short-te rm flooding. Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Tak, Nan, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Loei, Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Ang Thong and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provinces are monitoring for overflowing riverbanks and flooding. Phang Nga Province is on alert for landslides. Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Samut Prakan, Bangkok, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Pattani, Narathiwat, Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun provinces should watch out for high sea levels at river mouths and coastal lowlands. Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun provinces should watch out for strong waves. Source: Thai News Agency