Disaster Zones Declared As Flooding Hits Phattalung

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Disaster zones declared as flooding hits Phattalung

The Nation

As Nakhon Si Thammarat remains seriously flooded following heavy rain, rising waters have spread to Phatthalung province, all 11 of whose districts have been declared disaster zones.

Forest floods have engulfed several homes in two tambon in Si Chon district, stranding a large number of residents and leading many others to be evacuated. A number of villages have been isolated without electricity after 80-cm-high flood water covered a major road.

Nop Phitam district, hit again by flash floods, which killed many in 2010, has also been isolated after more flash flooding damaged a main bridge. Villagers escaping from tambon Krung Ching reported mudslides and falling rocks, which damaged their homes but caused no casualties.

At a waterfall in Lan Saka district, 70 tourists have been stranded by forest floods and were being rescued at press time. Disaster status has now been declared in three districts - Nopphitam, Si Chon and Tha Sala - out of 23.

In Phatthalung, residents in six districts: Tamot, Kong Ra, Sri Nagarindra, Si Banphot, Pa Phayom and Pa Bon, all adjacent to Banthad mountain range, have been advised to brace for possible mudslides, and forest and flash floods. Local relief authorities said more than 12,000 families in 162 villages have been affected and 220,000 rai of farmland submerged or damaged.

Krabi boats wrecked

Twenty-eight passenger boats docked off the coast of Krabi at Ao Nang, Khlong Haeng and Nam Mao bays capsized yesterday in high seas, causing around Bt1 million in property damage to owners. Tidal waves and storms began hitting the shore at 4 am yesterday, overturning the vessels, most of which have not been salvaged.

Songkhla remains heavily flooded, with the highest level of 2 metres at a new location - Fasai housing estate in Hat Yai, although the peak inundation is believed to have passed. A main road heading to Hat Yai airport is under 70cm of floodwater.

Currents in major canals in Hat Yai, connecting waterways from outer areas with sea outlets, are peaking, including Poh Mor canal in urban areas of the business district.

Provincial governor Krissada Bunraj said dredging of U Taphao canal was necessary, based on His Majesty's suggestion in 1988 during a flood. Although it might cost Bt1 billion, the dredging could potentially save the business operations and prevent a Bt10 billion loss in revenue.

Krissada said a request for this budget for the dredging had been submitted to the government, with HM the King’s advice attached to it.

The flood in Hat Yai and Songkhla, which borders Malaysia, has also affected tourism, with a room occupancy rate of only 15 to 20 per cent, from a total of 20,000 rooms, said Somchart Phimthana-phoonphorn, head of the hotel association in Hat Yai-Songkhla.

Public relations campaigns are being planned and will soon advise Thai and foreign tourists that the current flood situation is not as serious as the year before, he added.

Surat Thani took the first flood hit on Monday night, with three tambons in Kanchanadit district submerged, and many key roads now under 80 cm of flood water, leaving 300 households isolated.

The floods also blocked a section of Route 41 in Chumphon’s Lang Suan district, covering it with up to 80 cm of water. Other key submerged roads are Route 401 (Surat-Nakhon Si Thammarat), a Route 4 section from km markers 149-151. The flooded roads are still passable but require reserved lanes to keep traffic flow at a minimum.

-- The Nation 2012-01-03