Northern Thai province installs flood warning system

Mae Hong Son province in the northwest corner of Thailand has gone high tech in an effort to deal with flooding during the heavy rains that fall during the wet season. Flash floods in the region are not uncommon and a solution had to be found to curb the damage that flooding can cause.

Provincial officials, together with the company NECTECH, have already set up an electronic advance warning system in Pai and Pangmapha. Pai, beign located in a valley is particularly at risk, and it is also a very popular destination for tourists.

The alarms are set to sound every two hours if excess rain is measured by the devices, thus allowing locals and tourists alike to seek appropriate shelter. The two-hour advance notice will sound at city halls and provincial centres, and help local officials and departments to anticipate floods and landslides- all too often occurrences during rainy season.

Direk Kornkleeb, Mae Hong Son’s provincial governor has given instructions on how to react to flash floods to over 80 villages in the area deemed to be at risk. Military forces, police and other local bodies have been told to prepare equipment and to be on alert with medical supplies until further notice.