About 960 hectares of farmland and residential areas in two districts of Thailand’s north-eastern province of Si Sa Ket are flooded, after an earthen dike partially collapsed yesterday (Sunday), due to increased water pressure in the swollen Lam Siao Yai River, a tributary of the Mun River.
One tractor and a motorcycle fell into the 30-metre gap in the dike, left by its partial collapse, as they were travelling alongthe road on top. Both drivers escaped unhurt.
Heavy machinery, including an excavator, were sent to the dike in Rasi Salai district today by the Royal Irrigation Department, to close the gap and stop water from flowing downstream to flood rice fields and residential areas.
The department has also warned motorists using the road onthe dike to exercise caution.
An irrigation official said that continuous heavy rain in the Mun River basin, in Maha Sarakham province, over the past several days has increased the water level in the river and its tributaries, such as Lam Siao Yai, resulting in the increased pressure on the dike.
