Bt10 billion is set aside for flood relief
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont yesterday said Bt10 billion would be set aside to assist the flood-stricken, while hard-hit Angthong province was using "effective microorganisms" (EM) to tackle stagnant flood water.
Many central provinces have been submerged since extensive flooding hit northern and central Thailand in August. Surayud, along with related agencies' executives, boarded a helicopter yesterday to inspect a school in Nakhon Pathom and parts of Suphan Buri, where flood water had receded by 40cm. With the current drainage rate of 30 million cubic metres a day into the Tha Chin and Chao Phya rivers, the situation should be back to normal in 20 days, he said. Surayud said the Interior Ministry's proposal to financially assist flood victims was to be submitted to the Cabinet at its next meeting. It was initially estimated that the government, through the Interior and Agriculture ministries, would need Bt10 billion to assist flood-hit residents in lower-northern and central Thailand, Surayud said. Damage assessment in many areas should be complete in two to three weeks and yield a clearer picture, he added. The Transport Ministry is also waiting for water to subside so officials can inspect road damage. Government Spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp yesterday confirmed on a new television programme, "Direct Line to Government House" on Channel 11, that flood-stricken farmers should receive compensation by the end of December as farmland damage assessment was nearly complete, except in areas that remained flooded. Severely-hit farmland in 10 provinces will receive compensation of 50 per cent of expected earnings, say Bt1,321 per rai for rice, Bt1,520 per rai for dry crops such as maize and sugar cane and Bt2,429 per rai for fruit and vegetables, while the less severely-hit will get Bt414 per rai for rice, Bt579 per rai for dry crops and Bt786 per rai for fruit and vegetables, he said. The Social Development and Human Security Ministry has also set up a Bt1.19-billion fund to find permanent shelters for flood victims or repair their homes, and Bt440 million to rehabilitate communities' livelihood and lifestyles. The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives has waived the debts of 12 dead farmers. Muang Angthong mayor Chai Suwaphan said the city's three markets were back to normal. Officials have distributed EM packets to treat stagnant water.
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