Chanthaburi floods reach one metre, villagers evacuate

Chanthaburi floodwaters have risen to one metre, compelling villagers to evacuate from several districts, according to a yellow flag warning issued by the Chanthaburi Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office. The Chanthaburi River's surge, exacerbated by heavy rain in surrounding areas, has inundated homes, schools, and farmland, stranding residents and disrupting transportation.

Disaster prevention officers, soldiers, and volunteers from the Sawang Kata Yu Chanthaburi rescue foundation have been deploying boats to transport stranded individuals to temporary shelters. One of the hardest-hit areas is Wat Krathing in Khao Khitchakut district, where floodwaters have submerged the temple, school, and surrounding community.

Roads have been rendered impassable, stranding small vehicles. The floodwater has also overflowed into Makham district, particularly Wang Saem subdistrict, where the Chanthaburi River has breached its banks near Ban Phaya Bon village and Wat Khanun. As families evacuate, teachers, soldiers, and local officials are working to relocate valuable equipment and possessions to higher ground.

The ongoing heavy rainfall threatens further damage and inundation, prompting officials to assess the extent of the destruction and deploy water pumps to alleviate flooding in affected areas.