Nan braces for mudslides

[News Bandit]

 NAN, July 5- Disaster officials in this northern province are on high alert in preparation for possible mudslides and flash floods during this rainy season.

Ekkrit Jittangkul, chief of the Nan Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, on Thursday said that the agency prepared measures to cope with possible mudslides and forest run-off in the monsoon season by setting up an operations centre for floods, storms and mudslides.

The local authorities set up a meteorological data and reporting system, a warning system, related communication devices as well as a flood drill plan for residents in at-risk areas, aiming to handle the situation around the clock.

Mr Ekkrit explained that all 15 districts of Nan were considered as flood and mudslide-prone areas, classified into three risk levels -- Level 1 being high risk, Level 2 being intermediate risk and Level 3 being low risk. In addition, 296 rain gauges and warning sirens were installed in the province, particularly in the level 3 low risk areas.

The areas, which were repeatedly hit by the flash floods and mudslides, included Tha Wang Pha, Chiang Klang, Thung Chang and Na Muen districts. (MCOT online news)

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