FLOODS SWEEP THROUGH NAN KILLING 4

       The "worst forest flood in 30 years" swept through Huai Mon Village in Nan's Muang district on Sunday night, isolating 128 households and killing four people.
       A flood victim's body was found yesterday in Si Sa Ket's Prang Ku district.
       Flood damage caused Huai Mon School to suspend classes.
       Local authorities helped evacuate some 1,000 residents to higher ground, transfer their possessions away from the floodwaters and provide them with drinking water. Anucha Salaisuthee, a villager in his 30s, said the flood came after two hours of downpours.
       The currents were so fast and strong that many had to run for their lives and couldn't move their belongings to safer places.
       "This is the worst forest flood in 30 years. I've never seen a flood like this before," he added.
       Another villager, Jintana Saelee, 19, said she thought the cause of the flood was the soil's inability to absorb water |due to pig farms and corn plantations.
       While authorities were assessing flood damage for a "disaster zone" declaration, Nan Disaster Prevention chief Thawat Petchwira said he urged officials to watch for more flooding around the clock as rain clouds still hung over the area.
       The body of Sakhon Kosilp, 21, who was washed away on Saturday at Huai Hong Rakam in Si Sa Ket's Prang Ku district, was found lodged in a tree.
       Si Sa Ket Governor Raphi Phongbuppakit reported that 5,315 residents of 10 villages in Tambon Khok Jan in Uthumporn Pisai district were affected by the flood, while 18 roads were damaged and six state offices and schools were forced to close temporarily.