Doksuri hits North, Northeast with heavy rain, flooding (Updated)

Flash floods and runoff, triggered by storm Doksuri, swept through many northern and northeastern provinces on Friday night and Saturday morning, causing widespread damage to houses, public utilities and farmland.

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Saturday update

Doksuri triggers flooding in North, Northeast

PATTANAPONG SRIPIACHAI, SITTHIPOJ KEBUI, YONGYUT PHUPUANGPHET, MAKKHAWAN WANNAKUL, CHINNAWAT SINGHA AND BOONNAM KERDKAEW

Flash floods and runoff, triggered by storm Doksuri, swept through many northern and northeastern provinces on Friday night and Saturday morning, causing widespread damage to houses, public utilities and farmland.

The Meteorological Department on Saturday warned residents in the North, Northeast, East, South and the Central Plains, including Bangkok and vicinity to brace for severe weather conditions and possible flash floods.

In its 14th weather warning, the department said tropical depression Doksuri, which earlier pounded Vietnam, was now centred over Nan province. Widespread rains were expected much of the North and the Northeast.

In Nakhon Phanom, strong winds knocked down almost 30 high-voltage poles and many roadside trees in Muang district on Friday night, causing blackouts in several communities.

Hours of heavy downpours caused flooding in the municipality on Saturday morning, as workers raced against time to pump out water into the Mekong River.

The Nakhon Phanom meteorological station warned residents living along the Mekong and in other low-lying areas to brace for strong winds that may uproot trees that could fall on their houses.

So far, there have been no reports of injuries or deaths in the northeastern province.

In neighbouring Sakon Nakhon, several areas of Muang district were flooded. Provincial governor Witthaya Chanchalong said pumps were draining water into Nong Han, the country’s second largest freshwater lake.

In Chaiyaphum, forest runoff from the Phu Laen Kha mountain range flooded many agricultural areas and communities in the northeastern province.

In Muang district, more than 50 households at Na Fai village were inundated by huge volumes of water from the mountain range. Roads were under 70 centimetres of water, and were impassable for small vehicles.

In Kalasin, runoff caused flooding in Somdet and Huai Phung districts. The Kalasin-Somdet Road, the main road in the northeastern province, was under 1-2 metres of floodwater and impassable.

In Phitsanulok, heavy downpours from 1-6am on Saturday caused flooding in many communities. Several main roads in Muang district were under 40cm of water.

Ban Nam Pad School in Noen Maprang district was badly hit by the flooding, for the ninth time this year, said school director Ket Tuankhrue.

In Phichit, flooding triggered by continuous heavy rain lashed several areas. Many houses, schools, government offices and farm properties in the northern province were inundated. Damage is still being estimated.

In Lampang, residents were asked to brace for forest runoff as rains have pounded all 13 districts since Friday night. In Uttaradit, heavy downpours triggered flooding in two districts, affecting many households.

Residents of about 30 households at Moo 1 in tambon Nam Khrai in Nam Pat district rushed to evacuate their belongings on Saturday as floods hit the village.

Flooding also hit Ban Wang Takhian village in Thong Saen Khan district, affecting more than 60 households. The main road in the community was under 50cm of water.

Friday's story

Torrential rain expected in North and Northeast

It hasn't made a lot of news here yet, but Typhoon Doksuri has battered Vietnam and is already starting to affect Northeastern Thailand.

According to the Thai Meteorological Department, the storm was forecast to weaken to tropical storm level by the time it reaches Nakhon Phanom. In fact, it is already raining there and heavy rains are expected tonight.

The storm should then weaken to a tropical depression by the time it reaches Nan tomorrow. Widespread rain is likely with torrential downpours over much of the Northeast and the North, according to the weather department.

Here is an Associated Press report on Typhoon Doksuri in Vietnam:

Typhoon Doksuri batters central Vietnam

HANOI, Associated Press: Typhoon Doksuri slammed into central Vietnam Friday with maximum sustained winds of 135 kilometres per hour, blowing off roofs, felling trees and electricity poles.

Disaster official Ngo Duc Hoi in Ha Tinh province, where the typhoon made landfall Friday, said six coastal districts were feeling the brunt of the storm.

There are no immediate reports of casualties amid gusts of up to 185 kph and heavy rain.

Doksuri swept through the Philippines on Tuesday as a less powerful tropical depression, killing at least four people and leaving another six missing.

The Vietnam Disaster Management Authority said in a report that as of early Friday morning, 79,000 villagers in high-risk areas in five central provinces had been evacuated and another 210,000 were to be moved to safety ahead of the typhoon.

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