Floods Cause Over Bt1 Billion In Damage, Says Senior Official

Floods cause over Bt1 billion in damage, says senior official

BANGKOK: -- Floods wrecking several parts of Thailand over the past two months have caused more than Bt1 billion in damage, a senior official said on Friday.

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department director-general Anucha Mokhaves said the long-lasting floods, from late August until November 3, have wreaked havoc over large areas in 47 of Thailand's 76 provinces.

The devastating floods have affected more that 4.1 million people in over 1.1 million households, killing 195 persons and causing extensive damage to more than 3.3 million rai of agricultural lands. The overall damage was estimated at Bt1,124 million, he said.

The department chief said the flood waters have receded in 32 provinces, but remain high in 15 others including Phitsanulok, Phichit, and Nakhon Sawan in the North, Chainat, Uthai Thani, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Sara Buri, Suphan Buri, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom and Bangkok in the Central plain.

Over 1.1 million residents in some 367,000 households are still suffering from the floods inundating these 15 provinces, including some areas in four Bangkok districts--Lat Krabang, Min Buri, Nong Chok and Sai Mai.

Bangkok residents living by the banks of Chao Phraya River and some main canals remain affected by the overflowing waters, Mr. Anucha said.

--TNA 2006-11-03