BANGKOK: Large seasonal rains again pounded much of Thailand upon Sunday (Oct 9), causing continued wide-spread flooding, particularly in the north-east and main regions.
In the north-eastern state of Ubon Ratchathani, almost 20, 000 people have been joined 85 temporary pet shelters as floodwaters overwhelmed more than 1, 500 villages, the Department of Disaster Avoidance and Mitigation reported.
The provincial Chamber of Business estimated 5 billion dollars baht (US$133 million) of economic harm from the flooding, because residents complained which they received little support for their plight, which usually saw floodwaters penetrate central urban areas.
More than 200, 000 households in total within 54 provinces were hit by surges over 10 days until Saturday, according to the catastrophe agency.
Water damage is a seasonal problem in Thailand yet this year it has been exacerbated by the remnants of Tropical Storm Noru, which swept through within the last week of Sept, and the south-west monsoon in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.
Specialists recently warned that the capital, Bangkok, and other provinces along the Chao Phraya River could face severe threats as the volume of drinking water flowing from upstream is more than can be contained in the river plus dams.
As the major dams reach their capacities, the particular authorities are forced to release water, which in turn boosts levels in rivers downstream.