UTTARADIT: -- The northern province of Uttaradit has declared four districts as disaster zones due to flooding, while Bangkok residents brace for possible flood caused by high tide and heavy rainfall.

Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation chief Nithipat Pimpiriyakul, said that flooding triggered by incessant rain prompted provincial authorities to declare four districts, including the provincial seat, as disaster zones.

The declaration means that the province will be able to dispurse its local budget of Bt50 million to help flood victims immediately.

The province also warned local residents to be aware of landslides and further flooding.

Meanwhile, in Bangkok, Hydrograpic Department deputy director Nakhon Thanuwong said that the unusual overflowing of the Chao Phraya river on Thursday signaled an abrupt break from seasonal weather patterns, as high tides normally occur in September, but has happened sooner this year because of several circumstances.

Unseasonal high tides, run-off from the north, and heavy rainfall, Rear Admiral Nakhon said, together with strong southwesterly winds which have blown sea water into the river, means that the normal outflow from the Chao Phraya to the sea is temporarily not happening.

Water levels in the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok are expected to remain high until next week, so residents of low-lying areas must brace for possible flooding.

Deputy Bangkok governor Wanlop Suwandee said there are 14 flood-prone locations in Bangkok, so people living alongside the Chao Phraya river, the Bangkok Noi and Mahasawat canals, and in particular those living outside the flood-prevention zone should move their belongings to higher ground.

--TNA 2007-05-18