Forest Run-Off Cuts Off Two Bridges In Surat Thani

Forest run-off cuts off two bridges in Surat Thani

SURAT THANI, Nov 26 - Two more districts of the southern province of Surat Thani were announced as flood disaster areas, meaning there were now six districts designated as disaster zones while forest run-off has cut off two bridges in Kanchanadit district.

Two districts that were included in the flood disaster list were Tha Chana and Kanchanadit while four districts announced earlier were Chaiya, Vibbhavadi, Khiri Rat Nikhom and Than Chang.

Surat Thani military provincial deputy commander Col Wichai Thassanamonthian and Surat Thani Provincial Administration Organisation chief Montri Phetchkhum have led authorities to inspect two bridges that were swept away by forest run-off.

One bridge was in Pa Ron subdistrict while another was at Khlong Sa subdistrict.

Authorities had built makeshift bridges to facilitate villagers but the vehicle could not pass.

Meanwhile, Pattani municipality mayor Pitak Korkiatpitak has warned communities along the Pattani River which were in a high risk area to move their valuables to higher ground because the water level of the Pattani River is increasing and some areas were already flooded.

The authorities have installed an additional water pump to speed up drainage in the flooded areas.

In Narathiwat, the province has announced 5 more districts as flood disaster zones, meaning all 13 districts of the province were now disaster areas, which could facilitate officials providing assistance more effectively. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011/11/26