RAYONG, Thailand – Floodwater from Prasae Reservoir swept into riverside communities in Rayong on September 28, inundating homes and fruit orchards and forcing rescuers to evacuate residents and save thousands of pigs trapped in rising water. The Sattahip Disaster Response Team entered Moo 4 in Krasae Bon, Klaeng district, at about 1pm after floodwater spread across residential and agricultural areas.
Large volumes of water from Prasae Reservoir flowed down the Prasae River before spilling into low-lying areas, affecting hundreds of households and agricultural plots, particularly durian orchards.
Rescuers brought equipment into the flooded communities and helped residents move to safer ground while transporting essential belongings to higher areas. Strong currents and rapidly rising water made the operation difficult.
The team later received an emergency call from Moo 5, Ban Yang Ngam, where floodwater had rapidly entered a pig enclosure. Thousands of pigs were left standing and floating in the rising water. Rescuers used a flat-bottomed boat to reach the enclosure and moved the pigs to higher ground. The operation was challenging because of strong currents and extensive flooding around the area. Water levels have since begun to fall, although intermittent rain continues. Residents and rescue teams remain closely monitoring conditions in case heavier rain sends more water into the area.
