The National Water Command Centre is advising people living near rivers, waterways and reservoirs to prepare for possible flooding, overflows and flash floods from today until August 10th due to heavy rain.

It said that Thailand will continue to face heavy to very heavy rainfall in some areas this week, as a result of the south-westerly monsoon over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf, compounded by the monsoon trough moving over Myanmar, northern and north-eastern regions, developing into a low- pressure cell area over northern Vietnam and the Gulf of Tonkin.

The expected rainfall may cause several main rivers and tributaries, such as Nan, Yom, Kwai Noi, Pa Sak, Chao Phraya, Loei, Mun, Bang Pakong and Trat, to overflow.

Six major dams are in danger of overflowing, as the volume of water has exceeded the upper rule curve. They are Mae Ngat Somboon Chon in Chiang Mai, Kiew Lom and Kiew Kho Ma in Lampang, Nam Phung in Sakon Nakhon, Ubol Ratana in Khon Kaen and Pasak Jolasid in Lop Buri.

For the mid-sized reservoirs, water volume has exceeded 80%of their capacities and the level is continues to rise steadily.

Districts at risk of overflows and flooding include:

• Northern region: Umphang district of Tak, Pai district of Mae Hong Son, Chiang Dao and Mae Ai districts in Chiang Mai, Muang, Mae Chan and Mae Lao in Chiang Rai, Wang Pong, Lom Sak and Lom Kao in Phetchabun.

• Northeastern region: Chiang Khan and Na Duang in Loei,Ban Muang in Sakon Nakhon, Muang and Bung Khla in Bueng Kan, Muang and Tha Uthen in Nakhon Phanom,Muang in Khon Kaen, Dong Luang in Mukdahan.

• Eastern region: Muang and Pak Phli in Nakhon Nayok,Muang and Klaeng in Rayong, Tha Mai and Laem Sing in Chanthaburi, Muang, Khlong Yai, Ko Kut, Ko Chang in Trat.

• Central region: Sangkhla Buri and Thong Pha Phum in Kanchanaburi, Bangkok and peripherals.

Source: Thai Public Broadcasting Service