Nakornrachsima, 18 October 2010 (NNT)- Over 100,000 residents of Nakornrachasima Province have been affected by flash floods, with roads and houses submerged under water blocking rescue teams’ access to the area.

The worst flooding in decades continues to wreak havoc on Nakonrachasima, inundating hundreds of homes and thousands of rai of farmland in Pakthongchai district. The overflow from the Lum-pra-pleung Dam has submerged farms and homes under water over a meter deep, making it difficult for rescue teams to reach the affected. Flat-bottom boats, normally used to evacuate the stranded, were unable to reach the flooded areas and swept away be strong current. Rescue teams have been trying their best to assist residents of Nakonrachasima despite limited resources.

Meanwhile, the water level at which the dam could store has now exceeded its safety limit by 40 million cubic meters. The overflow has caused the water in Khlong Lum Sum rai to continue flooding areas below the dam. It is also feared that if the water in the Lum-ta-Khlong dam begins to overflow, residents of Pak-thong-chai will be in for one of the worst flooding in years.

National News Bureau of Thailand