Khon Kaen flooded, 1,000 families evacuated

The Nation October 13, 2011 7:01 am

Khon Kaen has declared its 26 districts as disaster areas due to floods, provincial governor Sombat Triwatnusorn said on Thursday.

"The inundation has worsened because the water retention at Ubonrat Dam is at 120 per cent of capacity, prompting the spillway to open," he said.

Sombat said excess water was released at 53 million cubic meters per day. At some areas within the Khon Kaen town, the water level rose to three meters, triggering the emergency evacuation of more than 1,000 families, he said.

Eight of 26 districts faced inundation at critical level.

The provincial authorities called for donations to help about 900,000 flood victims. Donors can made deposits into the Khon Kaen Flood Relief Fund via Krung Thai Bank account No 424-0-01492-1 and Government Saving Bank account No 07-5011-20-044667-9.

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