Chaos in Chaiyaphum: Devastating Floods Engulf 23 Villages After Water Barrier Collapse
Chaiyaphum Province Hit by Flash Floods: Over 3,000 Rai of Farmland Affected
Chaiyaphum, the Huai Sok water barrier in Khon Sawan district, broke and collapsed, resulting in a mass of water flooding people’s homes, damaging 23 villages, and over 3,000 rai of farmland.
On September 23, 2024, in Chaiyaphum Province, reporters reported that after the rain fell on the area all day and night, the forest water from the Phu Lan Kha mountain range flowed into various streams. In Mueang Township and Khon Sawan Township, many walls to block the water of the Huai Sok River, Ban Sok, No. 11 Village, Ban Sok Subdistrict, Khon Sawan Township, Chaiyaphum Province, broke and collapsed.
Forest water from Phu Lan Kha mountain range flows into Lam Pathao and part of it flows into Huai Yang and flows into Huai Sok reservoir. Then various water masses flow into Sai Kai stream branch in various villages. This caused the water to overflow and break the water barrier of Huai Sok River, village No. 11, Ban Sok subdistrict, by more than 10 meters.
Water overflowed in villages in Ban Sok sub-district. More than 12 villages in Khon Sawan district were affected, and another 10 villages in Khon Sawan sub-district, Yang Wai sub-district, Khon Sawan district and Ban Lat Noi, Lat Yai sub-district, Mueang district, Chaiyaphum province. This time, a total of more than 23 villages in 4 sub-districts and 2 districts of Chaiyaphum province. More than 3,000 rai of agricultural land were flooded. Many village roads were flooded, and the main road in Ban Lat Yai, Khon Sawan, was flooded for a length of more than 500 meters and was affected by the flood this time.
More recently, this evening, the Ban Sok sub-district administrative organization coordinated with livestock officials to help move the area’s livestock and domestic animals to higher ground. Because cattle are ferocious, experts and equipment must be used to transport them carefully.
Mr. Kan Kanchanawongsakul, Khon Sawan District Chief, revealed that officials had been informed that there would be flash rains and floods. Therefore, community leaders were coordinated to make public announcements so that residents are constantly prepared. Until a flood occurred It has been ongoing since last Friday night. On Saturday night, it rained heavily and water began to form. And the hardest part happened in the middle of the night on September 23, when the water flooded the homes and agricultural areas of the residents of Khon Sawan District, more than 22 villages, with more than 3,000 rai of agricultural land affected.
While Mr. Kiattiphum Hiranwan, Chairman of the Ban Sok Sub-District Administrative Organization, Khon Sawan District, Chaiyaphum Province, said that initially, the Sub-District Administrative Organization mobilized officials to quickly bring sandbags to distribute to villagers and water pumps to help divert water to the villagers’ homes. At the same time, we will speed up the removal of weeds from water sources to open up waterways and speed up flood drainage for villagers in the area. Ready to have officials take care of the safety of villagers. At the same time, they also rushed to evacuate the villagers’ animals that were at risk and moved them to higher ground. And once the water subsides, officials will be able to survey the damage to help provide relief to the villagers.