Weather department warns heavy rains will continue in South until this week
BANGKOK, March 27 -- The Meteorological Department warned on Sunday that heavy rains would continue in the South until the end of this month, while several regional provinces are already submerged under heavy floodwaters, causing deaths and forcing several tens of thousands of villagers to evacuate to higher ground.Heavy damage to property as well as deaths have been reported by southern province governors and the Department chief during the weekly TV and radio address by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Nakhon Si Thammarat governor Theera Mintrasak said 21 districts in his province have now been declared flood disaster zones as about 80,000 people are affected and initial damages is estimated at Bt300 million.
So far three persons have been reported drowned in the province, Mr Theera said.
All flights to and from Nakhon Si Thammarat were temporarily suspended on Sunday.
Pisit Boonchuang, governor of Phatthalung province, said 347 villages in eight districts in the province are now suffering from flash floods.
Torsak Wanitkhachorn, director-general of Meteorological Department, said low pressure is expected to pass through Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phatthalung provinces toward the Andaman coast, as the amount of rainfall is projected to decrease.
But rainfall in the resort provinces of Ranong and Phuket is expected to increase probably until the end of this month.
Prime Minister Abhisit said he has ordered Minister attached to the Prime Ministers Office Satit Wonghnongtaey to coordinate with southern provincial authorities in providing help, including money, in case they needed.
Torrential rains in the past few days have already damaged roads and highways in several southern provinces due to persisting high pressure from China covering Thailand.
The Meteorological Department has earlier warned that people living in flood-prone areas in the South should stay on alert for heavy rains which could bring flash flooding and landslides between y! esterday and tomorrow. It warned that small ships should stay ashore during this period due to high waves which are expected to be between two to three metres. (MCOT online news)
Nakhon Si Thammarat governor Theera Mintrasak said 21 districts in his province have now been declared flood disaster zones as about 80,000 people are affected and initial damages is estimated at Bt300 million.
So far three persons have been reported drowned in the province, Mr Theera said.
All flights to and from Nakhon Si Thammarat were temporarily suspended on Sunday.
Pisit Boonchuang, governor of Phatthalung province, said 347 villages in eight districts in the province are now suffering from flash floods.
Torsak Wanitkhachorn, director-general of Meteorological Department, said low pressure is expected to pass through Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phatthalung provinces toward the Andaman coast, as the amount of rainfall is projected to decrease.
But rainfall in the resort provinces of Ranong and Phuket is expected to increase probably until the end of this month.
Prime Minister Abhisit said he has ordered Minister attached to the Prime Ministers Office Satit Wonghnongtaey to coordinate with southern provincial authorities in providing help, including money, in case they needed.
Torrential rains in the past few days have already damaged roads and highways in several southern provinces due to persisting high pressure from China covering Thailand.
The Meteorological Department has earlier warned that people living in flood-prone areas in the South should stay on alert for heavy rains which could bring flash flooding and landslides between y! esterday and tomorrow. It warned that small ships should stay ashore during this period due to high waves which are expected to be between two to three metres. (MCOT online news)
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