FLOODS continue to ravage the South, with stormy weather accounting for three more fatalities in Surat Thani, which brought the death toll to 12 in five provinces.
In Surat Thani a six-year-old boy was drowned and two fishermen also lost their lives heading out to sea to fish.
Rough weather also sank a boat and the owner is missing.
The three other seriously hit provinces are Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, and Phatthalung.
Late yesterday, heavy rain continued in most parts of Surat Thani. The province’s disaster prevention office said floodwater had already spread over 17 districts, affecting more than 87,000 residents. In the hardest-hit areas, floodwater was up to one metre deep.
Attempting to ease locals’ fears, relevant authorities have tried to assure them that the Ratchaprabha dam in Surat Thani will not release water. The dam is now 87% full with 4,893 million cubic metres of water.
In Trang, more than 30,000 residents are battling with floods in eight districts. The situation was so serious that authorities declared six of these districts as disaster-hit zones.
A number of flood victims set up roadside tents after the deluge had swamped their homes.
In Nakhon Si Thammarat, run-off water from mountainous areas hit low-lying areas. The Nakhon Si Thammarat Municipality was swamped.
The floodwater level was more than two metres deep in the worst-hit areas, and some houses were submerged to the roof.
Schools in the municipal zones announced that they will be closed until tomorrow.
In Phatthalung, railway lines in Khuan Khanun district were impassable due to flooding. Many train passengers were forced to switch to bus travel.
An army spokesman said that soldiers were coordinating with authorities in an effort to deliver help to flood victims.
Apart from the hard-hit provinces, Chumphon, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun provinces were also flooded in the South.
Meanwhile, the National Health Security Office (NHSO) is closely monitoring the situation out of concern for patients suffering from chronic kidney failure. It is feared they might have problems accessing vital dialysis facilities.
Home deliveries have been arranged and adequate supplies will be provided.
(Source: The Nation, Thailand)