Cabinet Approves Bt5 Billion Flood Victims In Deep South

[sbk]

Cabinet approves Bt5 billion flood victims in deep South

BANGKOK, Jan 6 (TNA) - The Cabinet on Tuesday gave a green light to allocate Bt5 billion to assist flood victims in Thailand's deep South who face flooding problems every year, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Tuesday.

Of the overall Bt5 billion, Mr. Abhisit said Bt3 billion will be dispersed directly to farmers affected by the floods and the rest will be spent to repair basic infrastructure.

A working committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kajornprasart has been appointed and will survey damage in the area so that further assistance could be handed out to victims, Mr. Abhisit said.

Meanwhile, four districts in Narathiwat province bordering Malaysia have been declared disaster zones after the floodwater level reached over one metre high and several roads were impassable.

Relief officials used shallow-draft boats to transport flood victims as more than 23,000 villagers were affected by flooding.

Fourteen train services from Sungai Kolok district in Narathiwat province to the upper South and Bangkok were suspended since Sunday after railway lines were damaged by soil subsidence following heavy rains in the province.

It is expected that train services can resume on Wednesday as officials are now quickly repairing the lines while in nearby Yala province, about 20,000 villagers in three districts declared disaster zones are suffering.

Total damages are estimated at Bt12 million as 78 roads, five bridges, six schools and 2,225 rai of farmland are inundated although there was no rain in the area on Tuesday. (TNA)

General News : Last Update : 17:54:56 6 January 2009 (GMT+7:00)

Source: MCOT TNA news