The Thai Army is keeping close watch on Mon (Uttamanusorn) bridge, the country's longest wooden bridge, as continuous rain slashes through the western province of Kanchanaburi.

The Thai Army is keeping close watch on Mon (Uttamanusorn) bridge, the country's longest wooden bridge, as continuous rain slashes through the western province of Kanchanaburi. (Source: floodlist.com)

According to authorities, the bridge may collapse under the force of strong currents in the Songkalia River and a huge amount of debris which is piling up against the bridge’s structure.

The Thai Army has been using motor boats, troops and volunteers to remove the debris, mostly tree branches and logs washed out of the jungle and restricting the flow of water under the bridge.

Colonel Saratvuth Chaisith, commander of the 29^th infantry regiment based in Kanchanaburi, explained that the pressure of the water will increase and could force the wooden bridge to collapse, as in similar incident on 28 July, 2013 when the midsection of the bridge collapsed.

According to Saratvuth, heavy rain has been falling in the Tanasserim mountain range area, bordering Myanmar, for more than two weeks, sending runoff from swollen streams into the Songkalia and Runtee rivers. The troops are on standby to help the ethnic Mon people in Ban Sanaefong and Ban Koh Satoeng in Tambon Laiwo, Sangkhla Buri district, which are the localities most vulnerable to flooding.

Located in Sangkhla Buri district of Kanchanaburi province, Mon bridge is a famous tourist attraction for both Thais and foreigners.

(Source:  VNA)