by Index , Nisanart Kangwanwong – The Nation
As former tropical storm “Podul” continued to weaken yesterday as it plodded westward across north -central Thailand, the Sun Men district in the northern province of Phrae was battered yesterday morning, with toppled timber and energy poles, and roofs blown off homes.
Provincial governor Pongrat Piromrat referred to as an urgent assembly of all district chiefs to aid residents who had been affected. He additionally warned of the potential of severe weather situations until Sunday, and to plan an effective evacuation for riverside residents if necessary.
Sung Men’s tambon Nam Cham saw roofs blow off several houses, and timber fall down, knocking down five energy poles along with them and resulting in an early morning blackout in Nam Cham and its adjacent tambon Pong Pa Lai. Meanwhile, Ban Phra Luang (Moo 5) in tambon Phra Luang noticed a large teak tree fall and block a local street.
Officials at Nakhon Chiang Mai Municipality diverted 30% of about 300,000 cubic metres of water at the old city moat into the Ping River to soak up a few of Podul’s rainfall, in accordance with the municipality’s public works division head Wisakha Panyachauy.
Roadmap had been dispatched to dredge drainage pipes and clear away water hyacinths, whereas official had been on an around-the-clock watch for flooding particularly of the at-risk roads of Sri Ping Muang, Chang Klan and Suthep (near Ton Payom Market).
SOURCE: The Nation