30-8-2024 (NAKHON PHANOM) Two districts in Thailand’s northeastern province of Nakhon Phanom have been plunged into crisis as floodwaters from three major Mekong River tributaries submerged vast swathes of agricultural land. Local authorities have officially designated Na Thom and Sri Songkhram districts as disaster zones, following the inundation of over 7,907 acres of farmland.
The calamity unfolded as the Mekong River’s water level surged to nearly 11 metres, a mere metre shy of its overflow point. This dramatic rise triggered the overflow of three key tributaries – the Nam Oun, Nam Songkhram, and Nam Yam rivers – leading to widespread flooding across the region.
The impact of this natural disaster has been particularly severe in Sri Songkhram district, where 38 villages spread across three sub-districts have been affected. Similarly, in Na Thom district, 31 villages in three sub-districts have borne the brunt of the flooding. The scale of the disaster prompted provincial authorities to take swift action, officially declaring both districts as disaster zones.
