PHATTHALUNG, 26 February 2013 Heavy rain and runoff from the Ban That mountain range continue to flood low-lying areas in Phatthalung province, putting at least five districts under over 1 meter of water.
Nearly 20,000 households and over 50,000 rai of rubber plantations and rice fields have been affected by the ongoing floods. A number of small roads between Phatthalung and Nakhon Si Thammarat are closed or impassable due to high flood, with over 20 affected schools suspending classes.
Heavy overnight rains have also forced residents in Muang and Khuan Khanun districts to move their belongings to higher ground. Rainfalls in the districts were found to be 208 mm daily, but the situation is expected to improve as the rains have already suspended.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has been coordinating with provincial authorities in warning locals of areas with high risks of flash floods and mudslide, as well as the closure of affected national parks and waterfalls.
The department has so far issued severe weather warnings to officials in Phatthalung and nine other provinces in the South namely Surat Thani, Songkhla, Yala, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Pattani, Narathiwat, Satun, and Trang.
