Flood crisis in Thai South eases as rain stops

[webfact]

Flood crisis in South eases as rain stops
The Nation



Some areas still under water, though less rainfall, milder winds in the Gulf forecast

BANGKOK: -- FLOODS IN THE SOUTH have eased as rainfall has stopped and water levels have subsided.

Some low-lying areas were still submerged, but the forecast yesterday from the Meteorological Department was for less rain and milder winds in the Gulf.

Residents in Ranot, Krasae Sin, Sathing Phra, Singhanakhon and Khuan Niang districts around Songkhla Lake suffered a two-pronged flood - from seawater inflows and runoff from upstream areas - in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phatthalung.

About 70 per cent of Khu Khud sub-district in Sathing Phra was under a one-metre-deep flood.

With milder winds and smaller waves in the Gulf yesterday, fishing boats went to sea after a weeklong stay ashore, which resulted in a low supply of seafood products.

Meanwhile, Trang disaster and mitigation officer Amnuay Chantarat yesterday reported that flooding in six districts from November 20-24 affected 22,500 people and caused Bt20 million in damage. Two people died and a third was missing. With water levels dropping and the situation getting back to normal in most districts, people had started to clean up. But the situation was still worrying in Bang Rak, Na Ta Loung and Nong Trud in Muang district - and would be monitored for another 2-3 days.

Another report from Trang said there were concerns the surging Trang River would destroy three sections of a flood barrier in Bang Rak sub-district, so residents were urged to move belongings to higher ground while people piled up sandbag barriers to strengthen the barrier. In Na Ta Loung and Nong Trud, a road was under a metre of water and a house reportedly destroyed, so officials and volunteers were filling sandbags to stop the Trang River "intruding" further.

In Phatthalung, where all 11 districts were declared flood disaster zones, low-lying areas in Muang, Khuan Khanun, Bang Kaeo and Khao Chaison remained in severe flood, forcing residents to use boats. Officials dispatched flat-bottom boats and heavy machinery as well as 2,000 sandbags to aid flood victims.

In Surat Thani, where seven districts were declared disaster zones and damage was said to be at least Bt25 million, floods had largely subsided after rain stopped on Sunday. This spurred a cleanup by locals. Soldiers joined locals in Chaiya district to clean Wat Phra Boromthat Chaiya and piled up a sandbag barrier to prevent any further flood problem.


-- The Nation 2013-11-26