BANGKOK, Nov 20 – Flood-related death toll from Thailand’s worst flooding in decades has risen to 602, while two persons are still reported missing, according to the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department.
As of Nov 20, 125 districts in 17 provinces remain under water, affecting 5,078,477 people, it said in a daily report of the flood situation.
The submerged provinces are Nakhon Sawan, Chai Nat, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakorn, Samut Prakan, Ubon Ratchathani, Roi Et, Chacheongsao, Nakhon Nayok, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi and the capital Bangkok.
Two missing cases were reported in Mae Hong Son and Uttaradit.
About 11 million rai (4.4 million acres) of farmland and 210 roads have been damaged in severe flooding which began since late July.
Regarding the flood situation in the capital, Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra on Sunday asserted that all parts of Bangkok will be dry by the end of this year, Dec 31, as the flood situation in the capital is now easing.
Mr Sukhumbhand made his remarks while inspecting the water level at a connecting area between Bangkok’s Sai Mai district and Pathum Thani’s Luk Luk Ka district after all concerned parties earlier agreed to widen three sluice gates.
The governor said local residents are satisfied with the operation, as the water level has slightly decreased already.
Earlier Sunday, Bangkok governor led workers, policemen, soldiers and volunteers to clean areas in Bangkok’s western Bangkok Noi and Bang Phlat districts after flooding receded.
The Bangkok City Hall’s “Big Cleaning” collected 1,700 tonnes of garbage during the three-day campaign.
In the western part of Bangkok, the water level in Khlong Mahasawat at Khlong Thawiwattana sluice gates has fallen four centimeters and floodwaters on RamaII, Kanchanapisek, and Phetkasem Road have also dropped continuously. However, remaining floodwaters in alleys have turned foul and started to stink.
