Food, water, aid to thousands hit by floods

The police sent 10 lorries with drinking water and dried food to assist victims in six North and Northeast provinces.

Chairman of the Rajaprachanukro Foundation, Dissathorn Watcharothai, and his team took the aid to 2,000 families in Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong.

Acting Chiang Rai disaster-prevention chief Narong Inso reported that Mekong River levels had fallen to 7.81 metres in Chiang Saen and 9.88 metres in Chiang Khong, below critical.

From August 10 to 15, floods hit the two districts and Wiang Kaen, affecting more than 5,000 families in 105 villages. Officials are surveying damage.

Narong said there was no confirmation of China's alleged plan to release water.

In the meantime, national police chief Patcharawat Wongsuwan oversaw the dispatch of 10 lorries of relief items for flood victims in Nan, Phetchabun, Sakhon Nakhon, Chiang Rai, Nakhon Phanom and Nong Khai and opened a relief centre at police headquarters.

In Nong Khai, Mekong River levels receded slightly. The Princess Pa Foundation delivered 1,000 relief packages to flood victims in Tha Bo and Si Chiang Mai districts yesterday.

Municipality workers started pumping out floodwaters which are nearly one metre in some areas.

Provincial hydrological office chief Sukhawit Buapheun said it would take four days before levels were down to 13.20 metres.

Deputy Public Health Minister Wicharn Meenchainant, who visited flood victims in Nong Khai, said the ministry bought 200 life vests and rubber boats for mobile medical teams.

Each day, about 30 teams are dispatched to assist flood-hit villagers. To date 3,000 people have become ill.

In Chaiyaphum, provincial governor Thavorn Phromeechai warned residents in Muang, Nong Bua Daeng, Khon San, Phu Khieo, Kaset Sombun and Phakdi Chumphol districts to beware of floods and landslides.