Vehicles drive through floodwater in Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Bang Saphan district yesterday.

Thousands of families in many parts of Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chumphon were ordered to evacuate to higher ground yesterday as relentless flooding continued to cause widespread destruction.

In Prachuap Khiri Khan's Bang Saphan district, floods have already inundated temples, houses, markets and farms.

Bang Saphan district chief Pradit Yamanan announced through a community radio station that Bang Saphan was now an emergency zone. Rescue workers and volunteers were rushing to help flood victims, using rubber boats.

"We have been closely monitoring the situation. During the past two days, we have regularly issued warnings to residents," said Tambon Kamnerd Noppakhun Municipality mayor Santichai Prasertying.

Careful monitoring of the situation had given Bang Saphan Hospital enough time to transfer all of its 42 patients to other medical facilities.

"We started the transfer at 9am and the process was completed before the floodwaters arrived," the hospital's director Anuthep Malota said yesterday.

Prachuap Khiri Khan had suffered from continuous downpours over the past few days.

In Chumphon, floodwaters had covered Muang Chumphon, Pathiu and Tha Sae districts since Monday night. In the worst-hit areas, floodwaters reached 1.5 metres.

The Asia Road in the province was now knee-deep in water and inaccessible to small vehicles. Many local schools were closed until the situation returned to normal.

Chumphon was yesterday declared a disaster-hit area, with Tha Sae district singled out as being at risk from landslides.

Deputy Chumphon Governor Veera Srivathanatrakoon urged people in risky areas to move their belongings to higher ground.

"Don't wait till the floods arrive," he said, urging residents to closely watch the flood situation and to keep abreast of any announcement from local authorities.

The floods have already affected more than 4,000 families in Chumphon.

In the Northeast, the water level in the Mekong River was also rising rapidly prompting local leaders to be on high alert.

In Ubon Ratchathani's Phosai district, all village heads were instructed to report the water level in their area every hour.

"If a flood threatens to hit, officials will be dispatched to provide assistance," Phosai district chief Kuankid Chalotornrangsi said.

In Ubon Ratchathani's Khemmarat district, Tambon Khemmarat Municipality mayor Vachira Viseschart said tents had been erected to serve as temporary shelters for people who might be affected by the imminent flooding.

"We have prepared relief items for them too," he said, adding he believed the floodwaters would arrive within the next few days because the Mekong River was very high.

The Meteorological Depart-ment said sudden downpours would continue in Nan, Phrae, Uttaradit, Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Amnart Charoen, Kalasin, Roi Et, Ubon Ratchathani, Chanthaburi, Trat, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Ranong and Phang Nga.