Kanchanaburi issues warning for heavy rains and potential flooding from July 19-24

Kanchanaburi Province has issued a warning to residents, urging them to be prepared for possible flooding, flash floods, and landslides from July 19-24, particularly in Sangkhlaburi and Thong Pha Phum districts.

Governor Athisan Intra announced on Saturday that the Central Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command has been closely monitoring weather conditions and assessing risks. The Thailand Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across northern, northeastern, central, and southern Thailand, due to a monsoon trough passing through northern Laos and Vietnam, combined with a strong southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.

In preparation, local disaster prevention and mitigation teams have been instructed to monitor the situation and relay government alerts to citizens. They have also been asked to coordinate with relevant local agencies, including military, police, irrigation departments, educational institutions, and volunteers, to ensure adequate readiness in personnel, materials, equipment, machinery, and vehicles.

For tourist areas, particularly natural attractions such as caves and waterfalls, heavy rainfall increases the risk of accidents. Authorities are instructed to close these areas to the public if necessary and ensure round-the-clock monitoring of high-risk locations.

Additionally, the governor has ordered all disaster prevention units and related agencies to prepare for immediate action, including:

• Clearing debris and waste along waterways
• Lowering water levels in reservoirs
• Accelerating drainage efforts
• Opening water flow routes to relieve flooding in affected communities
• Redirecting water to areas with water shortages

Officials are also urged to assess the stability of boats, piers, and areas prone to flooding. If any are found to be unstable or dangerous, immediate repairs must be made.

In the event of a disaster, emergency response teams will be activated to assist affected residents, with volunteers joining the efforts. The public is urged to report any emergencies to the Kanchanaburi Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command at 034-515998, 034-516795, or via the Line application for Kanchanaburi Disaster Reports.