BANGKOK, Dec 3 (TNA) – Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha has ordered urgent help for flood victims in the aftermath of heavy downpours in Narathiwat.
Gen Prayut acknowledged reports of flood situations in Narathiwat’s 13 districts, affecting 41,369 people, said government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat.
Flood started to recede and 14 roads, which are now passable. If there is no more rain, the situation is expected to return to normal in 7-10 days, she said.
The Director-General of the Irrigation Department, Thongplew Kongchan said incessant rain had increased the water levels in the main rivers – Kolok, Sai Buri and Bang Nara, which overflowed its banks to flood low-lying areas.
In the hard-hit Sungai Kolok district, the water level is two metres high.
His department has installed nine additional water pumps in two districts to speed up water drainage into the Gulf of Thailand.
Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on said He ordered agencies concerned to assist flood victims and accelerate water drainage from flooded areas.
He said the authorities had mapped flood-prone areas for flood monitoring. Machinery and tools had been dispatched to those areas beforehand.
He said later this week, he would inspect progress in a flood prevention project in Songkhla to prevent a recurrence of the 2010 severe flood as the Meteorological Department forecast heavy rain will continue in some areas in the South. (TNA)
