Public Health Minister Pinij Charusombat yesterday said the mental and environmental rehabilitation for flood victims would cost about Bt84 million and Bt83 million was necessary for mobile medical units and medical supplies.

"As the floods have damaged 37 public health stations, we also need Bt38 million for repairs," he said, adding that he would ask for the cash at today's Cabinet meeting.

According to Pinij, more than 40,000 flood victims in the North have sought treatments during the past week. About 60 per cent of them are suffering from athlete's foot, colds and muscular aches. Also, there are now 2,177 victims in hospitals in Uttaradit, Sukhothai and Phrae with serious wounds or broken bones.

The flashfloods affecting more than 100,000 residents and the death toll rose to 66 on Sunday night.

Pinij said on Monday officials were busy restoring hygiene standards to the floodhit areas. "We are disinfecting hundreds of wells," he said.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang said the flooding had devastated 180 schools, causing more than Bt243million in damages. He said he would report the information to the Cabinet meeting today and seek budget to deal with the situation next week. 

In a related development, the overflowing Yom River flooded many areas of Sukhothai's Kong Krailat district, affecting more than 200 families and damaging over 30,000 rai of farmland.

Floods reached Tak yesterday, submerging Sam Ngao and Muang Tak districts but the authorities said the situation should return to normal within four days.

The Nation