Karenni refugees prepare to escape deluge

Karenni refugees from camp (2), Mae Hong Sorn province, northern Thailand, were getting ready to relocate due to overflow of Mae Sariang River, reported Network Media Group on 19 September.

"Because of the flooding, schools are closed and families near the river are moving to escape the flood," said a woman from the camp. It has been continuously raining heavily for a week but the flood had gotten worse yesterday.

"Yes, the flood started at 2 am today and some people are packing their belongings to move and some had already moved to safer places. Chicken, pigs, ducks and some houses in quarter (4) were swept off first and followed by those in our quarter (1)," said Nang Ei Nge from the camp. 5 houses in the camp were gone along in the river and 10 were devastated by heavy flow.

Due to the flood on 8 September, the Monglong Bridge in Mae Sariang district, Mae Hong Sorn province, was destroyed, ceasing transportations.

According to the Thai meteorological department, a tropical storm named Vicente, which commenced in the South China Ocean, was moving from Thailand to Burma with the speed of 50 kph. It also warned that Thailand's northeastern and eastern provinces could face with heavy rains and floods.

It is expected that the floods in Mae Hong Sorn province will be getting worse because of the continuous rain, according to a warning to villages by the department.

The camp (2) committee is helping families that are at risk of floods move their belongings to safer places.

NGOs are not able to reach the camps to help refugees because of damaged roads and overflows of the rivers in recent week.