BANGKOK, Dec 17 (TNA) — Deputy Prime Minister/Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has issued an urgent order for the military and police to expedite aid for flood victims in the south.
Spokesman for the Ministry of Defence Lt Col Kongcheep Tantravanich said that Gen Prawit has ordered all military forces and police to rush material and other provisional aid to flood victims who have been lashed by the northeastern tropical storm in the southern provinces.
Nakhon Si Thamarat, Surat Thani, Pattalung, Songhkla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Trang and Satun provinces have been hit.
One of the worse however is Thap Sakae district in Prachuap Khiri khan province that has been besieged by heavy winds, heavy sea conditions and rising floods. Recent reports indicate that more than 15,000 households have been affected.
The spokesman said that Gen Prawit has ordered all local military forces to closely monitor weather and flood conditions and provide assistance to local officials to help in evacuation, distribution of aid and medical attention.
A critical priority will be the deployment of military engineering units with the necessary water drainage equipment to help pump out flood waters and help with the construction of temporary dykes and embankments to contain local flooding.
As many roads have been inundated, military units have also been ordered to assign vehicles to provide emergency transport and help police with traffic management. The police on the other hand has been ordered to keep the peace and the safekeeping of private property while the flooding situation is being managed. (TNA)
