South Thailand Floods Reports - LIVE updates Wednesday

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FLASH FLOODS

Hat Yai emergency overwhelms flood relief efforts

Despite relief efforts pouring in, heavily flooded Hat Yai district in Songkhla province remains in crisis, with high flood waters in urban areas and widespread effects reported in the outskirts.

A large number of residents were stuck in their flooded homes, as reported in news coverage or relayed messages for help via Facebook and Twitter, with tap water, electricity and land-line telephones cut off. In one case a woman in labour was trapped in her home and could not get to a hospital.

Nearly 600 patients, including 15 in intensive care, have been evacuated from Hat Yai Hospital to Prince Songkhla Hospital by a joint Naval and Army operation, a government flood relief centre said. Many residents refuse to be evacuated, citing worries over their belongings, including theft.

The Information and Communications Technology Ministry reported damage to 80 of its 200 towers after generators attached to them were flooded. A number of mobile satellite signal units have been sent to the area to bridge the missing links and normal mobile service was expected by yesterday evening.

The volume of flood water volume streaming into the business district has reached 250 million cubic metres, a record volume overtaking those documented in 1988 and 2000 and the worst in 70 years, according to the Royal Irrigation Department.

There have been no official figures on flood damage but an initial estimate, from Hat Yai Mayor Phrai Phatthana, cited 80 per cent of urban areas and 30,000 households affected, and 10,000 residents stranded in their homes.

A large number of cars were stuck on bridges after the flood water reached too high a level for them to go through. Many cars parked in lower sections of the bridges were inundated.

Phrai told The Nation that food shortages would be commonplace for another day and the electricity would not be available up to tonight. About 300 guests remained trapped in the Lee Garden Hotel with food supplies running out.

In tambon Khuan Lang, 400 students were trapped in a boarding school, all of them moved up to the second floors of the buildings to stay above the 2-metre flood level. About 20 staff were trapped in Diana Mall, saying they would need food supplies from today onwards.

A weather report said the storms that ravaged Songkhla had moved on to the Andaman Sea, but would still cause heavy rain in all provinces in the South from Chumphon down. Besides Songkhla, the floods are spreading to seven other provinces: Phatthalung, Surat Thani, Pattani, Satun, Trang, Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani.

Her Majesty the Queen has graciously granted rations and supplies stocked at the Thaksin Ratchaniwet Palace in Narathiwat province to be delivered to flood victims, at the initiative of His Majesty. The supplies have been packed in 5,000 survival kits for distribution.

The provincial irrigation office said flood water should subside in Hat Yai urban areas within two or three days if drainage aided by 16 large pumps continued at the current rate. But areas close to Rama I and U Tapao canals require more time because they were swollen to a high level, the agency said.

-- The Nation 2010-11-03

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SOUTH'S FLASH FLOODS

Residents in shock

By SUPITCHA RATANA,

CHAYANON PRANEET

THE NATION

Songkhla flood brings back bad memories of past disasters, as some residents forced on to roofs

Flooding has returned to torment Hat Yai residents like a recurrent nightmare.

Chalermchai Thongkaew-on, a resident in tambon Khuan Lang's Na Khuan village, found there was little he could do, no matter how well he prepared. After three days of heavy rain he ended up stuck on the roof of his two-storey home with both the ground and second floors submerged.

Chalermchai, who survived the flood in 2000, said his family lost many belongings in the water that time. And he has stocked up on food ahead of every rainy season ever since, as a precaution.

He relived the nightmare on Monday night, when water 2 metres deep forced him to sleep on the roof.

"This flood is worse than in 2000, because that time I was still able to live on the second floor," he said.

Many neighbours also had a terrible experience in 2000, so they were all prepared, moving belongings higher and storing dried food, he said. But none thought the water would rise so fast or by so much this time - everyone ended up sitting on their roofs waiting for local officials to help or rescue them.

Another resident, Thakorn Thiprongpol, said he used to live in low-lying Bang Faeb village, which was hit hardest in 2000 and gets flooded every year. Having moved "uphill" to Na Khuan village, he couldn't believe his new house would also be hit by flooding.

Thakorn said it rained hard on Monday night, and just half an hour after a public flood warning was issued, his home was inundated. Fifteen minutes later, it was under water 2 metres deep. He expected the flood water to remain for three to four days, but said his family had some rice, vegetables and eggs and a gas cylinder.

Many residents in Songkhla's Na Thawi district, which was hit by a 1.2-metre flash flood on Monday night, weren't even able to grab belongings in time despite a warning from tambon officials.

Second-hand-car dealer Jeerapong Janjaroenkul said his family hurriedly moved their cars to higher ground but the flood hit so fast that two cars were submerged. He lamented that this flood was worse than in 2007, when a 60-centimetre-deep flood hit his shop.

"Now water has covered the car roofs. Na Thawi never had a flood before, and now it has," he said, adding that his family slept on the one-and-a-half-storey house's upper deck. Neighbours with one-storey homes had had to move elsewhere.

Na Thawi resident Neramit Noisamlee expressed shock at seeing the district under water at least a metre deep, saying it had never happened before. He was concerned that water would rise to 2 metres and every area would be totally cut off from the outside world, as the authorities had cut power.

"I have instant noodles to live on during this flood, but it was a mistake, because I have no electricity to boil water and cook it, so I have to eat dried noodles. After 12 hours, I finally had a chance to eat cooked food - from a box provided by officials."

-- The Nation 2010-11-03

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RELIEF OPERATIONS

Navy's big ships join flood rescue operations

By The Nation

The Navy yesterday deployed its aircraft carrier and an amphibious landing ship to help flood victims in the South.

The HTMS Chakri Naruebet, carrying four helicopters, and the HTMS Surin, with several marine amphibious landing craft aboard, left Sattahip Naval Base in Chon Buri at 8 o'clock last night and are steaming to Songkhla's Hat Yai district. The convoy is expected to arrive by 1pm today.

The Chakri Naruebet will act as a command post, helicopter pad, mess hall, kitchen and floating hospital.

The Navy has opened a hotline at 1669 and welcomes donations at two locations during office hours - Directorate of Civilian Affairs near the Grand Palace (call 02- 475 4960 for details), and Bangkok Naval Base in Bangkok Noi district on the Thon Buri side (02-475 4943).

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has delivered 1,000 survival kits and 17 flat-bottom boats to Na Thawee and hard-hit Hat Yai district. The supplies were flown from Bangkok on two Air Force cargo planes. Today 1,500 more kits will be sent, followed by mobile medical teams in the near future.

The Nation Multimedia Group's relief provisions have reached flood victims in Ayutthaya, with transport provided by Isuzu trucks and a logistics firm.

The Thai Red Cross Society has set up mobile kitchens to feed flood victims in Ayutthaya, mainly serving breakfast to monks in the morning, lunch to relief workers and dinner to villagers. Some 50 volunteer cooks prepare 3,000 meals daily.

-- The Nation 2010-11-03

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Two-thirds of school in the south affected by floods

By Supinda Na Mahachai

The Nation

SOME 1,762 schools, two thirds of them in the South, have been forced to close due to flooding.

Meanwhile, some 400 students at Hat Yai Wittayakarn, a boarding school in Songkhla, have been stranded since huge downpours on Monday.

The Cabinet yesterday approved an Education Ministry request to spend Bt176 million from the central budget to help ministry offices, schools and students affected by the floods. Some Bt20 million of that amount is earmarked for 100 educational offices, with Bt136 million for new school uniforms and learning materials, Bt10 million for flat-bottom boats and Bt10 million for floating toilets.

So far, 2,629 schools nationwide have been affected by flooding.

-- The Nation 2010-11-03

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Southern villages bear the brunt of massive flooding

By The Nation

Flooding has overwhelmed the South, with Songkhla bearing the brunt. Devastated towns and villages testify to the magnitude of the disaster:

SONGKHLA: Thousands of flood victims have been stranded in their homes without electricity and, for some, without telephone communications.

Strong torrents of flood water have covered almost all parts of Hat Yai, the economic hub of the South.

SURAT THANI: Several schools have been closed because of flooding. As a storm damaged electric wires, a blackout dragged on for many hours yesterday.

At press time, ferry services between the mainland and the province's many islands, including Samui and Pha-ngan, had been suspended. About 100 foreign tourists were stranded on Angthong Island, which is part of popular Kho Pha-ngan district.

There were also flight delays at Samui Airport.

PHATTHALUNG: The four districts of Pa Bon, Pa Phayom, Pak Phayun and Tamot have been declared disaster-hit zones.

With flood water a few metres deep, many villages have been marooned. A storm uprooted many trees, damaging more than 2,000 houses and seriously injuring two people. In Srinagarindra district, about 50 families in Moo 4 have been evacuated because of imminent landslide risks.

A portion of the Asia Highway between Phatthalung and Hat Yai is also flooded.

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: Mueang, Sichon, Pak Phanang, Hua Sai, Lan Saka and Chang Klang districts have been declared disaster-hit zones. One flood-related death was reported in Pak Phanang.

In Cha-uat district, a new hall inside Khuan Din Daeng Temple crumbled in the wake of the storm, which also felled many trees and forced the evacuation of hundreds of locals.

NARATHIWAT: Flooding has affected more than 42,000 locals and ravaged more than 15,000 rai of farmland. At least 80 roads were inundated, with boats the only mode of transport.

In the wake of the floods, more than 10 schools have had to postpone the start of the new semester.

Big waves were reported off Narathiwat's coast. Two workers on a fishing trawler, which sank in rough seas yesterday, had to float for hours before being rescued.

YALA: In the face of flooding, many roads have become impassable, and schools in the Yala Educational Service Area II have been closed. At least 53 villages have been inundated and 25 schools affected.

SATUN: There are more than 92,000 flood victims in the province. Rescue workers are handing out food to affected people, especially in hard-hit Mueang and Khuan Don districts.

TRANG: Many local roads have been flooded. The road linking Trang to Phatthalung, in particular, is submerged and impassable to all types of land vehicles.

Inundation has so far affected 1,000 families and destroyed a large number of farms.

KRABI: In the face of inundation, two famous attractions - Hot Waterfall and Emerald Pond - have been closed to tourists. The road leading to the waterfall is full of waist-deep flood water, while shops and accommodation at the entrance to the stunning pond have been ravaged by floods.

PHUKET: Big waves sank eight empty fishing trawlers along the coast. No fishermen have ventured out into the rough sea in such tough weather conditions.

The impact on transport services

Trains suspended between Nakhon Si Thammarat and the deep South;

Ferries suspended between Surat Thani and its many islands like Samui and Pha-ngan

-- The Nation 2010-11-03

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Flood situation in Hat Yai still critical,but water level has receded slightly. Death tolls in Hat Yai at 8. Authorities expect 2-3 days to pump out water and restore electricity /The Nation

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Hat Yai critical amid deep flood, eight reported dead; Flash flood in Nakhon Si Thammarat, many southern provinces inundated /MCOT

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8.20am -Surat Thani airport opens today so as Samui Ferry Pier. It's been raining since last night. /via @js100radio /via @veen_NT

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(9am) Flash flood in Chumporn and many stranded - need boat to help evacuate ppl. /TR @daruneekarn /via @MrNaling cc @floodcenter /via @veen_NT

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Scary..Picture taken from Indian satellite (8am): http://yfrog.com/2pwxlaj /RT @MrNaling @Fringer @MrVop #Thaiflood /via @tuckky_NT

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Samui Airport & Ferry still closed due to heavy rain last night. Surat Thani Airport is open /via @js100radio /via@ RichardBarrow

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Due to heavy rain, all flight to/from Samui Airport are suspended. Sorry for the inconvenience caused. /via @Bangkok_Airways

[Crushdepth]

DTAC just went down on Koh Tao, can't even see their network anymore. Internet is very patchy here too. And still raining.

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Chumporn Province Hit with 2 Meter High Floods

The latest province to be hit by the severe floods is Chumporn. At least two districts, including Patoh and Lamae, are under two-meter high floodwaters. The situation in Had Yai, however, has improved with water levels receding around the city.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-03

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Thai Airways has canceled all flights to and from Samui. The service may resume at 2pm. Call hotline 1556 /TR @Pat_TVThai #thaiflood /via@tukky_nt

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Heavy rain, flash floods in Nakorn Sri Thammarat,Chumphon's Lamae and Phato districts,risk of landslides,residents stranded /The Nation

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Stuck at Samui airport. Currently the runway is 4 inches under water. Flight is 2 hours late. /RT @CraigRath /via@RichardBarrow

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120 Muslim students stranded at a mosque in Hat Yai

Songkhla: -- A school director in Hat Yai Wednesday pleaded for an emergency help from some 120 Muslim students stranded in a mosque in Hat Yai.

Yusuf Nima, the director of Hat Yai Witthayakhan School, said the students were stranded at the Dinul Islam Mosque in Moo 6 village in Tambon Thungsao.

Yusuf said he could not contact the authorities for help and the students have not had their meals since the lunch time Tuesday. He said they had only some bread and roti from some local residents.

The students wanted to be evacuated to return to their homes in three southern border provinces.

-- The Nation 2010-11-03

[sbk]

Intermittent heavy rains here on Koh Phangan, some flooding but so far no more than usual for these kinds of rains. Our driveway, as always, has turned into a small river

waves seem a bit smaller but gusts have just started in so who knows how long that will last

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292,744 people in 10 Provinces in Southern Thailand affected by floods /via @floodcenter #ThaiFlood /via@RichardBarrow

[george]

Warning

"Tropical Depression in Gulf of Thailand"

No. 12 Time Issued : November 03, 2010

At 4.00 a.m. today, the tropical depression in the Andaman Sea was centered at latitude 8.4 degree north, longitude 95.0 degree east with sustained wind about 45 km/hr.

It is now moving west, away from Thailand even more. But abundant rains and isolated heavy to very heavy rain are likely in the both South from Prachuap Khiri Khan southward with wave 2-4 meters high.

People in risky areas along hill slope near waterways and in lowlands should beware of severe weather and possible flash flood. Residents along the coastal areas should beware of force wind and high surge inshore. All ships in the Gulf keep ashore during this period.

The ridge of intense high pressure from China still covers Thailand. Cool and cold weather with windy are likely in upper part of the country while minimum temperature in the North and the upper Northeast reaches 14-15 ºC and on mountaintops 8-14 ºC.

This severe weather conditions will be issued and notified periodically.

The advisory is in effect for Thailand from 3 November 2010

Issued at 5.00 a.m.

-- Thai Meteorological Dept

Current conditions and weather forecast by province:

Go here: http://weather.thaivisa.com

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Soldiers to Deliver Aid to Flood Victims

The defence minister has demanded that all forces help flood victims in Hat Yai and devise rehabilitation assistance plans.

Defence Minister, General Prawit Wongsuwan has ordered all military forces to offer relief measures in the flood plagued southern provinces immediately.

The Air Force is set to distribute relief packages using three special flights.

The Navy Force is to set up a fleet of warships, including four helicopters and an Alligator submarine, to offer help in the sea.

Concerning rehabilitation, General Prawit said his scheme will utilize the help of military personnel for house repair and medical services through mobile units that focus on water related ailments.

Those who are in need can contact 1696 around the clock for urgent help.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-03

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I'm marking on a map of Southern Thailand all places mentioned in the news about the #ThaiFlood http://bit.ly/c1FAF7 /via@RichardBarrow

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Education Minister: 1,186 schools in southern provinces flood-affected; minister to inspect flood-hit Songkhla's Hat Yai tomorrow /MCOT

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Thavorn says aids to be delivered to Hat Yai flood victims by afternoon

Deputy Interior Minister Thavorn Senneam said Wednesday morning that aids will be delivered to Hat Yai residents stranded in their homes by massive floods by afternoon.

He said so far foods, drinking water and basic necessities could not be handed out to the stranded people because the floodwaters were high.

He said when boats from the government and private sector arrived later in the day, foods would be distributed to the victims.

He said helicopters will also be used to deliver aids to the people where boats could not reach.

-- The Nation 2010-11-03

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Picture showing entrance to Bangkok Bank in Hat Yai under water http://plixi.com/p/54660106 /via @akadej #ThaiFlood /via@RichardBarrow

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Thailand scrambles to reach flood victims

BANGKOK, November 3, 2010 (AFP) - Thai troops scrambled Wednesday to reach thousands of people stranded after flash floods swept through a major southern city, as the government expressed optimism it could reach all those trapped.

"The flood water is beginning to recede and relief supplies have arrived so officials will be able to distribute them in various flood-hit areas," Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva AFP.

"It's likely that today, because the waters are receding, we can reach all the stranded people," said Abhisit, who paid a brief visit to the area on Tuesday.

Rising waters began to inundate Hat Yai, a city of more than 150,000 in Songkhla province, late Monday after days of heavy downpours, affecting tens of thousands of people, possibly including foreign tourists.

The area is particularly popular with people from Malaysia and Singapore.

"Many thousands of troops including from the army, navy and air forces have been dispatched with 10,000 ready meals," said Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwon.

Heavy flooding has already killed at least 107 people around the country since October 10 in what Abhisit has described as "a huge natural calamity".

The authorities estimate that about six million people across Thailand have been affected by the disaster over the past three weeks, with homes submerged and farmland or cattle destroyed.

Flights to and from the popular tourist island of Samui were disrupted again Wednesday because of bad weather conditions, the airport operator said.

The government has sent two naval ships to the southern region to provide medical and logistical support for the relief operation.

The water has receded in Hat Yai's suburbs but in the city centre it is still more than two metres deep, said Defence Ministry spokesman Colonel Thanatip Sawangsaeng.

He said between 5,000 and 6,000 more troops would join the rescue operation Wednesday, in addition to the 3,000 already in place.

The floods have affected dozens of provinces around the country, although the waters have receded in some areas.

Bangkok has been on standby but has so far avoided major flooding.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-11-03

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Hat Yai floodwaters receding, Irrigation Dept expects situation to ease in two days; Surat Thani worrisome as heavy rain persists /MCOT

[nowork114]

In April i bought Air Asia ticket on sale BKK Hat Yai (return for 700 THB) departing on 12 Nov ... now I know why they were so cheap ...

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HM the King provides over Bt10 million added personal funds to agencies to purchase relief packages for flood victims in southern provinces /MCOT