A geologist from the Department of Mineral Resources yesterday drove a wooden stick into the ground near the metre-deep crack as a simple gauge for residents of Sai Kad village to monitor any movement.

The geologist, Pradit Nuulae, told villagers to call him immediately if the stick fell over, since that would indicate that a landslide was likely to occur.

One of the villagers, Paeng Thammawong, said the crack had been small when he first noticed it after heavy rainfall a few weeks ago but had grown since.

Pradit warned that the hillside could collapse onto the village if there was any more heavy rainfall.

He said his biggest concern was a large water tank on the shoulder of the hill. If a landslide occurs, the tank will be destroyed and the huge volume of water it holds will flood the village, he said.

Meanwhile the flood situation in Ayutthaya province threatens to become more serious due to the rising level of the Chao Phya River. Residents of Phak Hai and Sena districts were warned to prepare for flooding that is expected to peak in the next few days.

Bang Rakam district of Phitsanulok province remained submerged yesterday, with 5,652 households in seven subdistricts affected by the flooding.