Prachin Buri floods ease as death toll reaches 24, recovery begins

PRACHIN BURI — 9 October 2026, Flood conditions in Prachin Buri have begun to improve, with water levels falling steadily in several areas and along the province’s main river. Local authorities are deploying pumps and sandbags to protect economic zones, while preparing recovery efforts as the disaster’s death toll reaches 24.

At 18:20 on 9 October, the Prachin Buri Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command reported that water levels along the Prachin Buri River at monitoring stations in Kabin Buri, Si Maha Phot and Mueang districts were trending downward.

However, prolonged heavy rain has affected seven districts, 65 subdistricts, 691 villages and 37 communities, impacting a total of 60,317 households.

The floods have killed 24 people, including 19 who drowned and five who died from electric shocks. Kabin Buri district recorded the highest number of fatalities, with seven deaths.

Agricultural damage has affected more than 107,961 rai, mostly rice fields. Meanwhile, 3,640 people have been evacuated to 52 temporary shelters. All seven districts have been declared disaster-affected areas eligible for assistance.

Krit Kasomphan, known as Mayor Oo, president of the Prachin Buri Provincial Administrative Organisation, said officials were working to prevent floodwater from spilling into municipal areas and the province’s economic zones.

More than 10,000 sandbags have been deployed to reinforce flood barriers. Water pumps supplied by the Royal Irrigation Department have also been installed in cooperation with Prachin Buri Municipality to drain flooded commercial areas in Mueang district.

Pumping stations have been positioned along the route from the Siansue area to the Thapthim Shrine.

“Our main goal is to pump and push the water towards Ban Sang district so it can drain into the sea as quickly as possible,” Krit said.

He added that the provincial administrative organisation was preparing recovery measures as water levels receded. Machinery would be sent to repair flood-damaged roads in Kabin Buri district, while village health volunteers and local residents would be asked to help clean flood-hit homes after the water subsided.

Chanathip Khokmanee, deputy governor of Prachin Buri who is serving as acting governor, said water levels in Ban Sang district had fallen noticeably by about five centimetres, improving road conditions.

Provincial reports indicated that water levels in the district were declining by an average of five to six centimetres.

Chanathip said provincial officials had consulted central agencies to accelerate the drainage of floodwater from Prachin Buri into the Bang Pakong River in neighbouring Chachoengsao province.

Central agencies have deployed boats to help push water through Chachoengsao, allowing water from Prachin Buri to flow downstream and drain into the sea more efficiently.

The province has also received 1,000 relief bags from Amnat Wilawan, a Prachin Buri MP representing Constituency 1, for distribution to flood-affected residents in Ban Sang district.

Chanathip stressed that timely and widespread public communication was essential during a disaster. Alongside on-the-ground operations, he said social media could help authorities rapidly share updates and ensure residents understood the response measures being carried out by the Interior Ministry and the government.

Amid the flooding, Their Majesties the King and Queen granted 3,000 royal relief kits to affected residents in Prachin Buri. Air Chief Marshal Chom Rungsawang, a Privy Councillor, presented the supplies on 7 October on behalf of the Rajaprajanugroh Foundation under Royal Patronage. A royal kitchen was also established to provide food and ease residents’ hardship.

In Na Di district, an upstream area of the province, the situation has returned to normal. Authorities are now assessing damage and preparing further assistance and recovery measures.

Chanathip added that the newly appointed district chief had reported for duty on 9 October and received instructions on water management.