BANGKOK, 12 September 2011 (NNT) – Flood situation in the eastern province of Chanthaburi in Thailand has deteriorated as the Chanthaburi River becomes swollen and has flooded local trading centres and residential areas.

People began evacuating their belongings to higher grounds. At least three schools in the central district of Chanthaburi have declared closed for three days. The Phraya Trang Road and another route leading to the classical dance village have become inaccessible.

Aged people, children and those needing medical services who live along the river are warned to evacuate to safer places. Motorists are also suggested to avoid using roads in several municipality zones as traffic is piling up due to the transfer of equipment and relief packages for affected people.

Rain continues in this province with the level of floodwater rising beyond the critical point. The provincial administration has installed water-pumping machines at different points in the economic zone. The governor of Chanthaburi and the head of the provincial Red Cross Unit have visited affected people and explored ways to urgently release water into the sea.

Read more: NNT