Health Ministry Warns Of Diseases During Floods

[george]

Health ministry warns of diseases during floods

BANGKOK: -- Health Ministry warned people on Sunday about possible break-out of six diseases during floodings.

Acting Permanent Secretary for health Dr Paichit Varachit said the diseases; leptospirosis, cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, red eye and dengue fever, usually break out during floods.

Provincial mobile medical units will provide free service to flood victims as well as distribute information on preventive measures for flood-related disease to the public, said Dr Paichit.

Of the six diseases, the number of patients suffering from red eye and leptospirosis had risen sharply by about 8 per cent from January through September 29 compared to the same period last year, Dr Paichit said.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in his weekly talk on Sunday that his government has been closely monitoring flooding situation in the country and the cabinet will this week evaluate damages again.

The evaluation will enable the government to allocate budget to assist the flood victims.

Abhisit said he had ordered relevant government agencies last Tuesday to lay out their plans to respond to Thailand's floods, and urged the public to listen to weather forecasts on a regular basis as weather is still unpredictable.

So far 12 provinces, mostly in the North and Northeast, have been under water with Ubon Ratchathani and Si Sa Ket suffered serious floodings, while Lampang and Lamphun provinces in the North are the worst-hit following heavy rains last weekend.

The Cabinet would discuss the flood situation on Tuesday and re-evaluate the country's damages.

Government closely monitors flooding; Health ministry warns of six diseases

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday his government has been closely monitoring flooding situation in the country and the cabinet will this week evaluate damages again.

The evaluation will enable the government to allocate budget to assist the flood victims.

Speaking in his weekly television talk, Abhisit said he had ordered relevant government agencies last Tuesday to lay out their plans to respond to Thailand's floods, and urged the public to listen to weather forecasts on a regular basis as weather is still unpredictable.

So far 12 provinces, mostly in the North and Northeast, have been under water with Ubon Ratchathani and Si Sa Ket suffered serious floodings, while Lampang and Lamphun provinces in the North are the worst-hit following heavy rains last weekend.

The Cabinet would discuss the flood situation on Tuesday and re-evaluate the country's damages.

-- The Nation 2009-10-04

[george]

Several provinces hit by flood

LAMPHUN: -- A number of northern and northeastern provinces have been hit by floods, with the northern province of Lamphun declaring one district a disaster zone.

Lamphun declared Li district the disaster zone after flash flood destroyed about ten houses, two dikes and several bridges.

A highway leading to a national park has been flooded, leaving many tourists stranded and unable to leave. The water level in the Chee River running through the northeastern province of Kalasin reached a critical level, and the water volume in the Lam Pao Dam has increased, posing a flood threat in five districts.

Although the rains have stopped, Kalasin watercourses are filled to capacity, particularly the Lam Pao River due to inflow from the Chee River, said Supoj Pansab, an official at the provincial office of the meteorological department. The overflowing waters may extend into farmlands. Some houses located in low-lying areas along the Chee River have been flooded.

In Chaiyaphum, motorists in foothill areas have been warned of flash floods and landslide after mudslide blocked a highway earlier this week. Chaiyaphum Governor Wanchai Suthiworachai ordered highway officials to warn motorists in five districts and to monitor the situation around the clock.

-- TNA 2009-10-04

[dumball]

Truly amazing Thailand !! So this being the FIRST time there is flooding due to excessive rain , government agencies have been asked to lay out plans (after how long has it been raining) to alleviate the sufferance of villagers and to monitor the peoples health because of prevelant deseases , which from what I have read on many TV threads , is there on a year long basis , : i.e. nothing new here . Why oh why with Thai government is the cart always ahead of the horse ???

[Bagwan]

Truly amazing Thailand !! So this being the FIRST time there is flooding due to excessive rain , government agencies have been asked to lay out plans (after how long has it been raining) to alleviate the sufferance of villagers and to monitor the peoples health because of prevelant deseases , which from what I have read on many TV threads , is there on a year long basis , : i.e. nothing new here . Why oh why with Thai government is the cart always ahead of the horse ???

An innate inability to see further than the next meal - or infusion of tea money?