BANGKOK, Feb 28 – The renewed round of flooding in Thailand’s southern region has claimed one life, but the situation is expected to improve in the next few days, according to Thailand’s disaster response chief.
Chatchai Promlert, director-general of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said the floods in Yala, Phatthalung, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla had begun to recede. The situation will return to normal in the coming days as the storm was heading to Malaysia.
He said one death was reported in Phatthalung.
Narathiwat disaster chief Suwat Musikapong reported on Thursday that 12 of the province’s 13 districts were declared flood-impacted disaster zones, with 7,853 people officially listed as being affected.
Mr Suwat said floodwaters began to recede in many areas, except along the Sungai Kolok River where 1.90-deep floodwaters continue.
Regarding the drought situation, Mr Chatchai reported about 25,000 villages in 36 provinces nationwide were hit by drought with 29 provinces already declared disaster zones.
He said the government has instructed local authorities and governors to provide sufficient potable water for drinking and cooking as an urgent relief measure, while 15 ministers have also been assigned to visit the affected areas to oversee the response to the floods.
