NARATHIWAT, Dec 6 – Six districts of this restive southern border province were declared disaster zones today in order to speed up relief operations, while other southern provinces remained flooded as heavy rain continued.
The six Narathiwat districts were Sungai Kolok, Rangae, Chanae, Wang, Ruso and Joh Airong which were flooded as three rivers — the Saiburi, the Bangnara and the Sungai Kolok — overfowed their banks due to incessant heavy downpours, combined with forest runoff from Sankalakhiri mountain range.
About 19,000 residents have been affected, while 22 roads and four bridges have been damaged.
Some 240 people of Sungai Kolok district evacuated to temporary shelters in four schools.
In Trang, about 1,000 households in three districts — the provincial seat, Huai Yot and Kantang — were flooded. Flood prevention dykes along Trang River collapsed due to the torrential waterflow. The authorities could not yet repair the 100-metres of broken dykes as rain continued.
It is expected to take 2-3 weeks until the flood recedes and repairs could start.
In Phatthalung, ten schools were temporarily closed due to flooding after a 3-day heavy rainfall which now affects 11 districts.
Floodwater in Songkhla Municipality however receded and roads are now accessible for commuters.
The provincial disaster response office installed pumps in 11 locations to drain water into Songkhla Lake.
The authorities placed green flags at main canals in Hat Yai district meaning that they are “safe” but Songkhla governor Krisada Boonrat asked concerned agencies to keep a close watch on the water situation as it is still monsoon season.
The Meteorological Department today reported that the low pressure over the Malacca Straits is moving westward far away from the South of Thailand. Decreasing rainfall is likely in the South.
The rather strong northeast monsoon still prevails over the Gulf of Thailand and the country’s South causing 2-3 metre high waves in the Gulf. All ships should proceed with caution and small boats in the Gulf of Thailand from Nakhon Si Thammarat downward must stay ashore today and tomorrow.
