Flash Floods In North Kill 27 And Traps Thousands

[Jai Dee]

Thai rescuers search for survivors in flooded north

UTTARADIT, Thailand, May 24 (Reuters) - Mudslides, torn up roads and fallen trees hampered rescuers on Wednesday after northern Thailand's worst floods in 60 years killed at least 27 people and left nearly 100 missing, officials said.

Uttaradit, 500 km (310 miles) north of Bangkok, was the worst hit province with 19 known dead and 92 missing, although officials there said the toll could be a lot higher.

"From what we've seen at the affected sites, we believe the toll will rise to a hundred as many might have still been buried under the mud," Uttaradit's deputy provincial health chief Eadyoungone Yongyuan told Reuters.

However, a senior Interior Ministry official said such speculation was yet to be confirmed.

"The estimate was based on the number of people reported missing and we are doing all we can to find those missing," Anucha Mokavetch told a Bangkok radio station.

Unusually heavy rain at the start of the monsoon, which lashed deforested hills and sent flash floods into villages and towns in five provinces, stopped in Uttaradit on Wednesday.

Water levels had receded, officials said, but showers were expected to continue until Friday.

Most of the deaths were believed to have occurred in the Laplae district of Uttaradit province, where heavy rain caused mudslides, officials said.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra flew to flood-stricken areas on Wednesday, a day after he formally took back the reins of power after a nearly two-month political break.

RESCUERS SLOG MILES

Rescue workers had to walk several kilometres (miles) into remote hill villages where one- and two-storey houses were torn apart by the power of waters and covered in mud.

They were having difficulty getting heavy equipment into the area to search the wreckage, witnesses said.

A Buddhist temple in a village in Laplae was turned into a temporary shelter for 200 homeless villagers, they said.

Eight more people died in Sukhothai and Prae provinces, the Interior Ministry said.

In less severely hit towns, aid workers took to boats to take food to people stranded in their homes and take sick people to hospital.

"Drinking water is most needed now as tap water facilities have been damaged by the floods," Jarin Udomlert, a Laplae rescue official, told Channel 3 television.

Survivors have complained of a lack of early warnings of flash floods or mudslides from the government, but provincial officials said warnings had been issued, but ignored.

"Nobody ever thought Uttaradit would be severely hit by flash floods like these," Uttaradit chief medical doctor Boonreang Chuchaisaengrat told Channel 9 television on Tuesday.

All rail traffic between Bangkok and northern province of Chiang Mai remained suspended on Wednesday, a day after four trains, carrying about 1,000 passengers, were stranded in Uttaradit, a state rail spokeswoman said.

The floods also forced prison officials to move 700 inmates from Uttaradit prison to jails in nearby provinces as their cells were about to be inundated, state Radio Thailand reported.

The monsoon season in tropical Thailand usually lasts until October.

Source: Reuters

[Jai Dee]

Thai villagers are being evacuated by a boat after the flash flood in Uttaradit province, northern Thailand Tuesday, May 23, 2006. Flash floods triggered by days of heavy rain have killed at least 50 people in northern Thailand.

Photograph by : AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong

[Krub]

Tragedy...regardless of the deforestation!!! But it makes you wonder when you see those logs that came with the floods, doesn't it?

Hope this flash floods teach all the furniture factories a lesson... a real tragedy lesson!!!

My family is in Uttaradit but on the other side of the river, however, I have lots of friends in Lublae which is the most affected area.

I' m praying that the situation doesn't get worse.

Got a call this morning from Laplae and the water is pulling back to the rivers. The roads are getting slowly usable. This is 20 km south west of the city of Uttaradit. The city of Uttaradit has been very badly affected. The Lotus superstore is a wreck. Many houses under water and property destroyed. Local temple (other side of river) 5 minutes walk from our place completely under water.

Which area is that , Jack. Is it near ' Wat (Temple) Pla-kluay, Tambol Koong Ta-pao ' ???

No it is in Danmaekhaman

[Netfan]

I just watched CNN weather report- another big storm coming and unfortunately more heavy rain is predicted for northern thailand over the next 24-36 hours. I would assume Thai weather stations are aware of this and alerting officials....

[Blue Unicorn]

Wow ! Just like anywhere in the world Thailand floods. Not large parts of it, but small parts of it, just like the Uk and USA which gets far worse floods every year. Feel sorry for the poor people effected by this, but once again the irresponsible media blows it all out of propertion to gain attention from those of the population of the world who don't have lives and just like to fill their heads with trivial sensationalised facts The damage they cause with this over blown media hype. I would think by now we were all aware the world floods from time to time. Sad for the people involved but the media actually makes things worse by creating unwarranted fears.

Edited May 25, 2006 by Blue Unicorn

[Thaising]

Few years back in chaiyaphum province, there was heavy rains and landslide that destroyed few villages with lost of lives. At that time, his HM the king advised the country’s villagers to preserve the forests in prevention from natural disaster to strike, as time goes by, these villagers still did not heal the advice. With illegal logging and environment bring destroys, it is hard to prevent such an events to strike.

Edit. The above province that I mentioned should be phetchabun and not chaiyaphum. Sorry for the mistake.

The Uttaradit disaster is reminiscent of a similar one that befell Phetchabun's Lom Sak district that killed more than 100 people in August 2001. And an even deadlier one in 1988 in Nakhon Si Thammarat's Phipun district, in which 317 people perished.

[sriracha john]

The death toll has nearly doubled since the OP ...

BANGKOK, May 25 (TNA) - Thailand's emergency response capacity is being tightlly stretched as government authorities confirmed Wednesday night that the death toll of persons killed in flash floods and mudslides in the northern provinces of Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Phrae, Lampang and Nan has risen to 51 and 170 were missing from the flooding that began Monday after several days of torrential rains.

Edited May 25, 2006 by sriracha john

[Jai Dee]

PM Thaksin has assigned relevant agencies to assist flood victims in the north

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has assigned deputy prime ministers and relevant agencies to quickly assist flood victims in the north.

Speaking after chairing a meeting with Pol.Lt.Col. Thaksin, Deputy Minister of Interior Sermsak Pongpanit (เสริมศักดิ์ พงษ์พานิช) said that the premier has instructed Mr. Suwat Liptapanlop (สุวัจน์ ลิปตพัลลภ), deputy prime minister, to look after areas of Phrae (แพร่) and Nan (น่าน) Province, while Dr Surakiat Satianthai (สุรเกียรติ์ เสถียรไทย), deputy prime minister was assigned to take care of Uttaradit (อุตรดิตถ์) and Sukhothai (สุโขทัย).

Besides, the officials have been instructed to look for missing residents and restoring public utility.

Supreme Commander Ruangroj Mahasaranond (เรืองโรจน์ มหาศรานนท์) said that he has already deployed troops and necessary equipments to evacuate those affected by the flood.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

PM Thaksin calls for a meeting to solve the flood crisis

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra called for a meeting with his top officials to find ways to solve the flood crisis in the north.

The meeting at the Government House included Deputy Interior Minister Sermsak Pongpanich(เสริมศักดิ์ พงษ์พานิช), Deputy PM Surakiat Sathirathai(สุรเกียรติ เสถียรไทย), Secretary to PM Prommin Lertsuridej (พรหมินทร์ เลิศสุริย์เดช), Permanent-Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Banpot Hongtong (บรรพต หงษ์ทอง) and Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Interior Sucharit Patchimnun (สุจริต ปัจฉิมนันท์).

The meeting has been held following the visit of Dr. Thaksin to the Northern provinces of Uttaradit(อุตรดิตถ์) and Sukhothai(สุโขทัย) where there have been reports of dead and missing people from the flood situation.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 May 2006

[ovenman]

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has assigned deputy prime ministers and relevant agencies to quickly assist flood victims in the north.

and

Besides, the officials have been instructed to look for missing residents and restoring public utility.

Every time I see stuff like this reported I can't help but wonder, wouldn't these officials know that such tasks were their job without receiving stage directions from Mr. Big?

Edited May 25, 2006 by ovenman

[Jai Dee]

Transport Co. Ltd. prepared coaches for travels to flood-stricken provinces, but passenger number remains unchanged

The Transport Company Limited has prepared vehicles to accomodate people who will travel back to their localities in the flood-hit north. In the meantime the amount of passengers at the moment is still normal.

Sirichai Moonjinda (ศิริชัย มูนจินดา), who oversees the Transport Co., Ltd.'s bus runs for the northern region and the acting managing director of the agency, said that coaches have been prepared for people who will make trips back to the provinces of Phrae, Uttaradit, Tak and Sukhothai.

Regarding the concern that vehicles would not be able to reach the flooded cities in these provinces, Mr. Sirichai affirmed that the company's vehicles were large in size and will be able to send passengers to their destinations.

Mr. Sirichai has indicated that the number of passengers making the trips to these flood-stricken provinces were not different from the normal period, unlike previously assumed.

It is deemed likely that they have instead been contacting their flood-stricken relatives by phone.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 May 2006

[stumonster]

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has assigned deputy prime ministers and relevant agencies to quickly assist flood victims in the north.

and

Besides, the officials have been instructed to look for missing residents and restoring public utility.

Every time I see stuff like this reported I can't help but wonder, wouldn't these officials know that such tasks were their job without receiving stage directions from Mr. Big?

imagine the repercussions if some one were to upstage mr 't' , and the theatrical reference is highly appropiate.

[KhunMarco]

The media should be ashamed, my mum just called me in tears thinking I was dead.

In Italy they said the biggest flood in 60 years , no specification of provinces, just "north of Thailand".

[Thaising]

The media should be ashamed, my mum just called me in tears thinking I was dead.

In Italy they said the biggest flood in 60 years , no specification of provinces, just "north of Thailand".

There are number of provinces in the north bringing affected, telecommunication infrastructures were completely down, you cannot blame the medias for wanting first hand disasters results. Rescuers still find it difficult to reach the worst hit villages as of now. Keep cool and wait for latest news.

[Jai Dee]

The death toll from floods in the North rises to 62

The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department puts the latest official death toll from floods in three northern provinces at 62.

Department chief Anucha Mokkhawes (อนุชา โมกขะเวส) said the number of deaths in Uttaradit was 52, Sukhothai, 6 and Phrae, 4 and 53 were reported missing. Floods also affected 121,380 people, damaged 80 roads and 28 bridges, 25 temples, schools and government buildings and inundated 31,619 rai of farmland, Mr. Anucha said.

He said the department is setting up shelters in flood-hit areas and later will build knock-down houses for affected people.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

SRT suspends three northern train services until June 7

Damage caused by floods to the railways in Uttaradit forces the State Railways of Thailand (SRT) to suspend three express train services to the North until June 7.

SRT governor Jitsanti Thanasopon (จิตต์สันติ ธนะโสภณ) said SRT needed about 10 days to repair the damaged rails and bridges. During the repair, two Bangkok-Chiang Mai trains will still operate but will transfer passengers from Uttaradit station by bus to Den Chai station in Phrae where they will board another trains to Lampang and Chiang Mai.

Mr. Jitsanti estimated the floods had caused damage worth more than 50 million baht to SRT.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 May 2006

[ace]

The media should be ashamed, my mum just called me in tears thinking I was dead.

In Italy they said the biggest flood in 60 years , no specification of provinces, just "north of Thailand".

I trust the people of Thailand will be apologising to your mum for any distress their deaths may have caused her.

[KhunMarco]

The media should be ashamed, my mum just called me in tears thinking I was dead.

In Italy they said the biggest flood in 60 years , no specification of provinces, just "north of Thailand".

I trust the people of Thailand will be apologising to your mum for any distress their deaths may have caused her.

They knew exactly the provinces affected after 3 days (when the news was released in Italy) but as usual the more they can scare the hel_l out of their audience the more they seem to enjoy it.

It's not my mum's call the cause of the disaster, so get over it and divert your anger into physical exercise.

[Jai Dee]

Princess Ubonratana donates her personal money to flood-hit people in Phrae and Uttaradit

Princess Ubonratana donated her personal money worth 80,000 baht to people devastated by flood in Phrae and Uttaradit yesterday.

Representing the princess in handing the donations to the people was caretaker Public Health Minister Pinij Charusombat (พินิจ จารุสมบัติ). Two hundred people in Phrae and Uttaradit will receive 2,000 baht each.

Mr. Pinij said he had ordered psychiatrists to keep a close watch on flood victims suffering from severe stress throughout the next 6 weeks. About 800 people had already come for counseling, he said.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

Uttaradit reports huge damage from floods

Floods badly damaged Lub Lae (ลับแล), Tha Pla (ท่าปลา) and Muang (เมือง) districts of Uttaradit, already caused 66 deaths and affected more than 120,000 people.

Uttaradit governor Upparit Srijan (อุปฤทธิ์ ศรีจันทร์) said yesterday that a survey on flood damage conducted between may 23 and 28 found 430 houses in 214 villages were completely destroyed by the disaster, 50,750 rai of farmland inundate and more than 500,000 animals died or were missing.

Sixty-six bodies have already been discovered while 37 were still reported missing., Mr. Upparit said. He said 232 roads, 26 bridges and 3 government offices were also damaged by the floods. The province is speeding up repair work, he added.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

The majority of people polled by ABAC believe illegal logging is carried out in flood-hit provinces

Nearly 80% of the people surveyed by ABAC Poll believe that illegal logging was carried out in flood-hit northern provinces.

ABAC Poll asked its samples how they felt about the disaster which killed many lives and damaged a lot of property. About 50% said they felt sad and 7.6% wanted to make donations to flood victims.

As high as 79.4% believed that the forests in those provinces were logged illegally. Illegal logging was always blamed as the cause of floods.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

Mr. Banharn: There should be inspection over flood-prone areas

Chart Thai Party Leader Banharn Silapa-archa (บรรหาร ศิลปอาชา) suggested that there should be surveys on areas where flood incidents occur repetitively, and reservoirs should be built to solve the flood problems.

Regarding the flood crisis in the northern provinces, Mr. Banharn said the Chart Thai Party would like to express it's condolence to the residents who have lost their family members and properties from such disaster.

He indicated that building reservoirs would help prevent floods, and the water could be used during the drought season. However, he said that his party members would be visiting the areas to assist the flood-stricken residents.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

Aid arrives in the North as Bangkok braces for deluge

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday called for increased cooperation among the government agencies coordinating flood relief efforts.

“Lack of coordination among the government agencies has impeded efficient distribution…Some areas have received sufficient food and necessities while others are still waiting,” Thaksin said.

For the past week, flash floods have inundated Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Phrae, Nan and Lampang provinces, killing scores of people, damaging thousands of homes and laying waste to almost 275,000 rai of agricultural land.

Thaksin yesterday ordered provincial governors to pay special attention to children orphaned as a result of the flood. “Provincial governors must provide scholarships and psychological counseling to help them to overcome the trauma of what they have been through,” he said.

Thaksin also asked governors to accelerate the process of rescuing missing persons and retrieving bodies.

Thaksin visited Ban Tuek subdistrict’s Dong Ya Pla village yesterday where flash floods and mudslides have destroyed 63 houses and killed six residents.

The Thai Kom Foundation will help construct new two-bedroom, two-story houses for those whose homes were totally destroyed.

“The construction is expected to take about five days to finish,” Sukhothai Governor Sukij Charoenrattanakul said.

He added that the government will provide temporary debt relief for flood victims who have outstanding loans with the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, the Village Fund and the Bank for the Poor.

Caretaker Agriculture Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan ordered the Irrigation Department to pitch in with the recovery effort.

“We have sent water trucks and heavy-duty pumps to affected areas,” Khunying Sudarat said, adding that “the department may also need to rebuild reservoirs and widen existing waterways to prevent future flooding.”

The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department yesterday released figures showing that the death toll had risen to 77, with 38 people believed to be missing.

So far floods and mudslides have destroyed 555 houses and partially damaged 3,126. Damage has been reported to 341 roads, 96 bridges, and more than 300,000 rai of agricultural land, along with losses of 17,000 cattle and more than 151,000 chickens.

The Yom River overflowed yesterday, submerging Charodvitheethong Road, which runs through the center of the town of Sukhothai.

Several schools in the city have closed and are expected to reopen on Tuesday. Officials warned people living along the banks of Yom River to move to higher ground in anticipation of the arrival of more water from surrounding tributaries.

Residents of Sukhothai’s Ban Kluay subdistrict yesterday moved their belongings to higher ground when the Mae Ram Pan canal burst its banks, inundating their village.

Municipal officials used sand bags to protect the center of town and water pumps to drain those areas that had already been flooded.

Strong currents on the Wang River coursed through Tak province’s Sam Ngao, Ban Tak, Lampang and Mae Phrik districts, damaging 1,500 households and thousands of rai of banana orchards. Rescue workers plucked two bodies from the rapidly moving current.

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin said he had ordered the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s Drainage and Sewerage Department to release water from 20 of the city’s reservoirs to make way for the massive volume of water that is now making its way toward the capital from the North.

“The BMA is prepared to cooperate with other organizations to address the concerns about the volume of water due to arrive here,” he said.

“It is not true, as some news outlets have reported, that BMA is not concerned about the issue,” he added.

During a visit Prawet district, Apirak said most of Bangkok’s reservoirs are located around Saen Seub canal and have the capacity to contain 12.7 million cubic meters of floodwater.

He said Bangkok is still safe from flooding because water levels in the Bhumibol, Sirikit and Pasak Cholasit dams are currently at less than half of total capacity.

“At present, Bangkok residents should not worry about flooding in the city,” he said.

Source: ThaiDay - 29 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

People wander along the mud-splattered streets of a village in Lablae district of Uttaradit province after floodwaters devastated the area, killing 77, with about 38 still missing.

His Majesty the King talks to armed forces commanders-in-chief about ways to expedite assistance to victims of severe flooding.

Source: The Nation - 29 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

Mr. Somsak called in Sukhothai officers a meeting to concern on assisting residents affected from flood hits

Labour Minister Somsak Thepsuthin (สมศักดิ์ เทพสุทิน) called a meeting with the provincial officers of Sukhothai (สุโขทัย) Province. They discussed the issues concerning the relief efforts for the flood-affected residents.

Mr. Somsak said that he has been assigned by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to take care of the flood problems in Sukhothai Province. The Labour Minister has ordered relevant units to send him the projects of dealing with the aftermath of the flood crisis within three months.

The minister has proposed Dr. Thaksin to approve the excavation of Yom (ยม) River to help relieve the negative consequences from possible floods in the future. He will urge the provincial officers to provide job opportunities to the residents after the situations in Sukhothai have improved.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

All train services to and from the North to resume on June 15

All train services to and from Uttaradit and Phrae should resume again on June 15.

Jitsanti Thanasopon (จิตต์สันติ ธนะโสภณ), governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), said SRT is speeding up the repair of railways damaged by the floods which hit the 2 northern provinces last week.

The damage, estimated at 92 million baht, forced SRT to suspend 3 train services to the North.

Mr. Jitsanti said only 8 trains to the North are in operation now but he expected all services to return to normal on June 15.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 30 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

The Democrat Party gives away 9 million baht to assist flood victims

The Democrat Party has donated money to assist the northern residents who have been affected from the flood.

Democrat Party Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva (อภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ) and other party’s key members traveled to the Royal Thai Army office to grant nine million baht of financial aid. The donation was collected from the party’s celebration of its 60th anniversary, and the Royal Thai Army will bring the money to help out the flood victims in Uttaradit (อุตรดิตถ์) and Phrae (แพร่) provinces.

Mr. Abhisit added that the party will gather the flood victims’ calls so that the army can find solutions to work out the problems. He has also stressed on dispatching machines and armed forces to the flooded areas.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 30 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

PM Thaksin expresses concern over flood prone areas

The Cabinet meeting today will discuss over the measures to assist flood-stricken residents in the Northern provinces. Whereas, caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said he is worried about the flood risk provinces.

Dr. Thaksin said prior to the cabinet meeting that assistance measures for flood victims will be discussed during the meeting and will also follow up with the assistances that he has assigned earlier. He referred to the announcement of the Meteorological department that certain area in the Lower North, namely Pitsanulok(พิษณุโลก) province is a flood risk area.

He talked about the amendment of the Act of dissolving parliament, adding that he has no idea whether Mr. Bavornsak Uwanno(บวรศักดิ์ อุวรรโณ), secretary to the Cabinet, will raise this issue in the meeting.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 30 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

Mr. Yongyuth confirms logs found in Phrae have been damaged from mudslide

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Yongyut Tiyapairat (ยงยุทธ ติยะไพรัช) has confirmed that the logs found in Mae Jua Reservoir in Den Chai District of Phrae (แพร่) Province have been damaged from mudslides.

The minister has refused the news claiming that they are illegal timbers. He further said that he is willing to take anyone who is still in doubt about the matter to inspect the spot.

Mr. Yongyut added that during the today’s Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Thaskin Shinawatra has instructed officials to give the logs to the residents so that they can sell them to factories

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 30 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

PM asks all ministers to accelerate aid to flood victims

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has stressed to all ministers to provide full aid to flood victims in every aspect.

Following the Cabinet meeting today, the Government Spokesperson, Md. Surapong Suebwonglee (สุรพงษ์ สืบวงศ์ลี), said Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has stressed to all Cabinet members and ministers to provide full support to the victims of northern flooding in the provinces of Uttaradit, Phrae, Nan, and Sukhothai.

The premier has told them to move forward with the rejuvenation of bodies and minds, as well as to facilitate the repairs of residences, roads, and other necessary infrastructures.

The Ministry of Defence will also be sending mobile medical units to provide aid to the victims of earthquakes in Indonesia.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 30 May 2006