The Mekong River level has risen past the critical point, flooding Chiang Khan Walking Street. Meanwhile, the Loei Governor has ordered a close watch on the Mekong River level from September 15-17, as it is likely to rise further. In the area of ??the Mekong River, along the Chiang Khan Walking Street, Loei Province, which is a low-lying area, the water level has begun to overflow into the area. The Mekong River level measurement point in front of the Loei Hydrology Office, Chiang Khan District, this morning measured the latest water level at 16.35 meters, which is normally at the critical point of 16 meters. In the afternoon, the water level dropped to 16.25 meters. Furthermore, the Mekong River level has also pushed tributaries such as the Huay River, flooding the main road, the bridge over the Huay River, as well as farms and resorts along the Huay River in Chiang Khan District. The water level in the Mekong River in Pak Chom District is rising every hour and overflowing into buildings, customs checkpoi nts, immigration offices, and shops along the river. The water level is 50 cm to 1 meter high. Villagers along the river must be vigilant and lift their belongings up high. It is expected that the water will continue to flow in. At the ferry pier in Pak Chom District to Ban Wang, Muang Muen, Vientiane Province, Lao PDR, which is opposite the customs checkpoint, the Mekong River is flowing fast, with many logs and wooden poles floating. The ferry driver said that the current water level of the Mekong River is still lower than 16 years ago because at that time the water level of the Mekong River was very high. This year, the water level has been rising all the time. The cause is the Xayaburi Dam releasing water. It is expected that within the next 2-3 days, the water level will rise rapidly, causing Sri Chiang Mai District and Tha Bo District, Nong Khai Province, which are lower, to receive the full amount of water and will definitely be affected. The latest, Mr. Chaiphachon Charoonpong, Governor of Loei Prov ince, revealed that the Mekong River has been rising by 3 centimeters per hour since this morning, causing several tributaries that flow into the Mekong River, such as the Huay River, which flows through Chiang Khan Municipality, to overflow and flood houses, farms, and resorts along the Huay River. In Chiang Khan District, there are 3 areas that have been affected: Buhom Subdistrict, Pak Tom Subdistrict, and Chiang Khan Subdistrict. The water flowing from the Xayaburi Dam in Lao PDR, approximately 190 kilometers from Chiang Khan District, took 13 hours to reach Chiang Khan. Today, he visited the area and called a meeting for all agencies to discuss, urged the village headmen to visit the area to warn the villagers and announced to closely monitor the water situation, especially during the 15th-17th, the Mekong River level will rise another 1.50 meters from the critical level of 16 meters to 17.50 meters. Source: Thai News Agency
