Kanchanaburi faces flooding as Gaemi moves west

Kanchanaburi has been hit by flashfloods as a result of forest runoff and water flow from the nearby province of Ratchaburi.

Heavy downpours caused by the influence of Gaemi, forest runoff from the Tennsaserim Hills (known as the Tanaosi Hills in Thai), and earlier heavy rain in Ratchaburi that accumulated in waterways and eventually overflowed, combined to bring flooding to this western province.

Rainfall measured at 130 mm/hour raised the level of Pachee Creek in Kanchanaburi’s Dan Makham Tia district above the critical point, but an automated flood alarm alerted residents to evacuate to higher ground.

Homes and farms were flooded. Many roads are under more than one metre of water, making access to many villages impossible. Villagers faced difficulties in moving valuables to higher ground due to the fast flowing water.

Local authorities said that the water was quickly flowing into all parts of Dan Makham Tia district. Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department said that the low pressure cell downgraded from tropical depression Gaemi has moved west and was now over Myanmar's Gulf of Martaban.

Heavy rain continues in many areas of western Thailand, with particular warnings for low-lying areas of Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi for another one or two days.