Severe flood hits Thai-Myanmar border

TAK, THAILAND, August 11 (TNA) - Cross border trade between Thailand and Myanmar has become standstill on Saturday after harbours along the Moei River are closed temporarily due to severe flooding following heavy rain Friday night, officials said. They said cargo boats operating between the Thai border district of Mae Sot and the Myanmar town of Myawaddy have stopped operations as harbours are heavily inundated, making it impossible to unload goods. Floodwater with its height of over one metre has inundated both the Thai and the Myanmar border while government offices and more than 10 villages on the Thai side are currently under floodwater, officials said. The market, situated near the river, is completely under the floodwater with its height reaching nearly two metres, almost reaching the signboard which says ‘Thailand’s westernmost point’, erected near the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge. Officials said houses and cars on the Myawaddy side are also heavily damaged by the severe flooding while harbours are closed for an indefinite period. Border patrol policemen in Mae Sot have requested two flat-bottomed boats to be dispatched to the area along with reinforcements to help evacuate the sick, aged and children from inundated villages. (TNA)