Some 550 villagers evacuated following landslide

NAN: -- Over 550 villagers were evacuated by helicopters after heavy rains caused a landslide in a village in this northern province Saturday morning.

About 360 villagers were evacuated form Nam Phi Village in Tambon Thung Chang of Thung Chang district after landslide destroyed three houses.

Later, helicopters flew in to evacuate 192 more villagers from Ban Nam Phao Village.

The villagers were evacuated to two schools and would stay there for a few days until the rain stops.

The provincial administration sought help from the 32nd Paramilitary Troopers Division to send helicopters to evacuate villagers and to deploy the troopers to protect houses and belongings of the villagers.

--The Nation 2006-08-26

More budget given for Nan flood victims

NAN: -- The government will double its relief budget for flood victims in Thailand's northern province of Nan to Bt100 million, if necessary, a ministerial team said Saturday.

The ministerial team, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, visited flood victims who were most affected during recent heavy rainfalls in four districts of Nan.

The ministers accompanying Mr. Suriya included Public Health Minister Pinij Jarusombat, Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal, Deputy Finance Minister Varathep Ratanakorn and Deputy Interior Minister Sermsak pongpanit.

The ministers said that the government had also set aside another Bt150 million as a central budget to help flood victims as the total damage is still unknown and is being assessed by provincial officials.

Nan governor Prinya Panthong briefed the ministers during the visit that 12 districts and one sub-district were hit by the flood.

Initial estimates found that two persons were drowned and 16,462 injured.

A total of 37,298 houses were affected by the flood, 171 roads and 70 bridges were damaged, and 78, 956 rai of farmlands were inundated, according to the governor.

--TNA 2006-08-26