Severe Flooding Hits Sungai Kolok, Malaysian Border

[george]

Severe flooding hits Sungai Kolok, Malaysian border

NARATHIWAT: -- Severe flooding caused by unseasonal rainstorms has struck several districts of the violence-plagued Southern border province of Narathiwat on Thailand's border with

Malaysia.

Four days of constant rainfall complicated by run-off from forest waters flowing down San Kala Kiri mountain has caused the Sungai Kolok River to overflow its banks and flooded local homes located along the riverbanks.

At least 300 households in Sungai Kolok municipality are now inundated due to the floods, according to the report.

In the Waeng and Sukirin district, also submerged by floodwaters over two-metres deep, villagers are using flat-bottomed boats to evacuate their belongings to higher ground.

The local electricity authority has temporarily halted power supply to homes and businesses in some areas for fear of electrical shock accidents.

--TNA 2006-02-13

[Jai Dee]

Rain poured down in Nakhon Si Thammarat last night, causing floods in the areas.

Rain poured down in Nakhon Si Thammarat province last night, causing the water level in canals in Thung Song (ทุ่งสง)municipality to rise and flood roads in the province.

At around 4.20 this morning, canals have swollen to flood roads in the district, blocking traffic in some areas. The officials have come to help villagers move their belongings to higher grounds to prevent possible damage.

They have also announced that Asia Road no. 41 at Nong Wa (หนองหว้า) intersection, and Ron-phiboon - Nakhon Si Thammarat (ร่อนพิบูลย์-นครศรีธรรมราช) road have been flooded. Local residents should be more cautious when traveling around the areas.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 14 Febuary 2006

[Jai Dee]

Nakhon Si Thammarat is flooded, and water is still rising in Narathiwat, while heavy raining is still forecast for next few days

The Meteorological Department has issued a second warning for residents of the southern provinces to beware of heavy rain and floods, whereas in Nakhon Si Thammarat officials are hurrying to pick up people stranded on trees after they fled last night's flood.

Many areas in Nakhon Si Thammarat have been inundated, comprising Thung Song (ทุ่งสง), Lansaka (ลานสกา), Ronphibun (ร่อนพิบูลย์), and Phraphrom (พระพรหม) districts.

The situation is especially severe in Lansaka as all villages there have been submerged. Some residents had to flee the water by climging up trees last night, and they are now being retrieved by officials on flat-bottom boat. Other districts have also been significantly flooded but no death or injury has yet been reported.

In Narathiwat province, many bridges have been damaged by debris that flowed along with the water current. The water level in the province is still rising.

The Meteorological Department has issued another warning, predicting more heavy raining in the south that may cause flash floods and forest floods in plains and slopes at bases of mountains. Residents in the area are urged to beware of dangers from flood.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 14 Febuary 2006

[Jai Dee]

Mr. Sermsak to travel down the south to help handle flood situation

Deputy Minister of Interior Sermsak Pongpanit (เสริมศักดิ์ พงษ์พานิช) will travel down the south today to handle flood situations, if the circumstance does not become better.

He informed flood situation in Su-ngai Golok (สุไหงโกลก) district of Narathiwat (นราธิวาส), that just some areas of the province is still facing with heavy flood. He expressed his concern over areas along Go-lok River and Nakhon Si Thammarat (ศรีธรรมราช) Province where people are still suffer with the flood. He said that the flood might rage in Muang (เมือง) and Thung Song (ทุ่งสง) District.

However, he has assigned provincial governors to evacuate people out of the risky areas, while the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office will closely observe the situation.

He said that he might inspect the situation by himself after the cabinet meeting finishes.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 14 Febuary 2006

[Jai Dee]

PM Thaksin has assigned Interior Ministry to give urgent assistance flood affected people in the south

Deputy Prime Minister’s office spokesperson Sansanee Nakphong (ศันสนีย์ นาคพงษ์) said before the cabinet meeting that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is worried about the flood situation in many areas of the southern region.

According to Ms Sansanee, the premier has assigned Interior Minister to provide immediate assistance to flood stricken residents.

Moreover, the premier also told the cabinet meeting about his recent visit to Yala (ยะลา) province that he acknowledged the problems that teachers in the areas are facing due to the unrest situation.

Prime Minister Thaksin then assigned Education Ministry to find safety measures for the teachers and to apply psychological method in the teachings for the misled youths.

He has also assigned related agencies to increase the installation of Closed-Circuit Television since it will be useful for tracking down the militants and it will also help preventing the violence in the region.

Ms. Sansanee revealed that PM Thaksin has instructed his deputies Wissanu Krea_ngam (วิษณุ เครืองาม) and Suwat Liptapanlop (สุวัจน์ ลิปตพัลลภ) together with Public Health Minister and Minister of Social Development and Human Security to work on knock-down house projects.

Finally, the prime minister said that there should be advisory team for energy consumption which will help the nation to save energy.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 14 Febuary 2006

[george]

South hit by floods, heavy rain continues

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: -- Incessant rain has caused floods in many districts in the southern provinces of Nakhon Si Thammarat and Narathiwat, and the Meteorological Department forecasts that heavy rain will continue in the lower southern region.

Flash floods as well as overflowing rivers and canals are now inundating eight districts in Nakhon Si Thammarat. The Thasala district is under one metre of water, with hundreds of families caught

before moving their belongings to higher ground.

Many roads in Ronpiboon district are impassable while the flood level is increasing. In Narathiwat, water flowing from several areas in three districts - Sungai Kolok, Waeng, and Sukirin in the Sankalakhiri

mountain range has flooded more than 400 households including Sungai Kolok municipality which is covered by 1.5 metres of water.

Meanwhile, the meterological department has warned of heavy rain in the lower south, including the provinces of Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala..

The weather department warned of flash floods in low-lying areas and heavy seas in the lower Gulf of Thailand. Waves as high as two metres are predicted in some areas, together with thunderstorms.

The temperature dropped one to two degrees Celsius in Bangkok and the metropolitan areas and further rainfalls are expected in some areas.

--TNA 2006-02-14

[Jai Dee]

Nakhon Si Thammarat governor presented one million baht each to districts affected by floods.

Nakhon Si Thammarat (นครศรีธรรมราช) governor Wichom Thongsong (วิชม ทองสงค์) presented one million baht to each of the districts affected by flood to help people suffering from the natural disaster.

Mr. Wichom said that the initial estimate of the damages from the flood is around 10 million baht. He said that the water is expected to be drained to rivers by today, adding that the disaster occurred from continuous heavy downpours during February 11-13. However, he said that district chiefs have been given money to take care of the people. The one million baht will be spent on providing food and consumer goods for the people.

Member of the National Water Resource Committee, Dr. Apichart Anukul-ampai (อภิชาต อนุกูลอำไพ) said that flooding in 10 districts of Nakhon Si Thammarat was due to human’s destruction of environment. He added that the country is facing green house gas effects, expressing belief that flash floods is a very likely possibility, if rains fall continuously.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 Febuary 2006

[Jai Dee]

Agriculture Minister visited flooded areas in Nakhon Si Thammarat and distributed aid packages to villagers.

Agriculture Minister Khunying Sudarat Keyurapan (สุดารัตน์ เกยุราพันธ์) visited the flooded areas in Nakhon Si Thammarat (นครศรีธรรมราช), distributing aid packages to flood victims.

Khunying Sudarat was briefed by Nakhon Si Thammarat (นครศรีธรรมราช) governor Wichom Thongsong (วิชม ทองสงค์) about the situation. Mr. Wichom said that around 9 districts of the province have been affected by floods, adding that almost 8,000 farmers suffered damages from the natural disaster. The damages are estimated at around 10 million baht.

Khunying Sudarat went to visit the people and distributed aid packages to villagers. She told villagers that the premier is concerned for the flood victims, and ordered her and her team to inspect the areas and provide urgent help for them.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 Febuary 2006

[Jai Dee]

Flood-stricken people in Su-ngai Kolok district request the authority to dig ditches as a mean to prevent another round of flood

The flood situation in 3 districts of Narathiwat(นราธิวาส) province namely Sukirin(สุคิริน), Waeng(แว้ง) and Su-ngai Kolok(สุไหงโก-ลก ), has now improved following the heavy downpour from 9th-13th February

Local residents in tumbol Pasemas(ปาเสมัส) have requested authority to dig ditches in order to ease the flow of water and to prevent another round of flooding.

However, concerned agencies have provided preliminary assistances by evacuating people in the heavy-hit areas to safety and restored the damaged roads for commuters as well as providing consumer goods to flood affected residents.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 Febuary 2006

[Jai Dee]

Flood in Nakhon Si Thammarat has receded rapidly

The flood water in Nakhon Si Thammarat has almost completely receded. In the meantime the Meteorological Department is still warning people of forest floods that may occur over the period.

The flooding in 9 districts of Nakhon Si Thammarat has largely subsided after the raining stopped. It was found after the water receded that many roads have been damaged. The water level in coastal districts in the province have risen however as water from the inundated districts flowed through them. If no further downpour occur the situation in the province is expected to return to normal in 2 days.

In the meantime the Meteorological Department is predicting less rain for the Gulf of Thailand and a lessened overall precipitation in the country. However people in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Trang and Satoon are still urged to maintain caution for forest floods.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 17 Febuary 2006