Nan under water: River rising fast, roads impassable, schools shut

Heavy rains have battered the northern province of Nan since late Tuesday afternoon and through the night, causing the water level in the Nan River to rise quickly, as Tropical Storm Wipha, which has been downgraded to a depression moved westward across Laos.

The Meteorological Department reported today that the depression was looming over Xiangkhoung province of Laos at 4am today and was moving at a speed of 25kph, with wind speeds at its centre estimated at 55kph.

The depression will bring heavy to very heavy rain today and tomorrow to northern, northeastern provinces, the western part of the Central Plains and the eastern region, according to the department.

Suraphol Thiensoot, the Muang district chief officer, said today that the water level in the Nan River, measured at Kard Saeng NT point, was more than five metres and still rising at a rate of about 30cm per hour. He predicted that it will reach a critical level in the next few hours.

Residents of the Muang district have been advised to stock up on enough food and drinking water for three days, to prepare flashlights and to charge their cellphones as a precaution against a possible blackout.

Parking space on higher ground has been arranged, to avoid flooding should the river breaks its banks.

Pua district chief officer Phipat Petchphipat said that more than 300mm of rain has fallen on the district since late Tuesday afternoon. He added that people living along the Nan River have been advised to evacuate since 2am today.

Several sections of the highway, linking Pua district with Chiang Klang district, are already impassable. The commercial area of Tha Wang Pha district is now under water.

Five schools in Muang district and one in Tha Wang Pha district are closed today due to lack of road access.