Surat Thani still under water

An 81yearold riverside resident in Tambon Bang Phai, Nonthaburi's Muang district, moves her belongings to higher grounds after floodwaters from the swelling Chao Phraya River submerged the area with up to 80centimetredeep water. By Watcharachai Klaipong

In Bangkok, the city clerk yesterday placed 30 flood-prone areas under watch as massive inflows of seawater on November 17 would cause the Chao Phraya River to rise beyond two metres.

Surat Thani deputy governor Boonsong Techamaneesathit said continuous heavy downpours had affected six districts (Kanchanadit, Koh Samui, Don Sak, Tha Chana, and Chaiya) but Koh Samui's flood has subsided, whilst Chaiya reported that one man was killed in floodwater.

Fifty-centimeter-deep floodwater submerged the front of Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya Rajaworaviharn.

In Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chairperson of the Rachapracahsamasai Foundation Disathorn Vajarotai distrbuted royalgranted relief items to 1,000 flood victims in Sichon district, a source reported. Heavy rains since November 9 have inundated 110 villages in nine tambons there, 39 villages of which were reportedly marooned.

Nakhon Si Thammarat disaster prevention office reported that 68,718 residents in 11 districts were affected and about 20,000 rai of farmlands, six bridges, 115 roads and 60 water pipes were destroyed. Damages were estimated at Bt28.2 million.

Two persons, Prasert Thongman, 70, and Thawatchai Leunseng, 14, were killed in the flood. Eight hundreds farms in Khanom, Sichon and Tha Sala districts were affected forcing some farmers to sell shrimps at unfairly low prices to middlemen.

In Phattalung, houses and 5,000 rai of rubber plantations in two tambons in Muang district and one tambon in Kuan Noon district were under up to 50-centimeter-deep floodwater.

Those living in lowlying areas and around the Songkhla Lake were advised to prepare for evacuation.

The floods in Chumphon's Lamae, Phato, Lang Suan, Thung Tako, Sawi, Pathiu, Tha Sae and Muang districts have subsided. Some 36,600 residents were affected and the damages were initially estimated at Bt120 million.

Bangkok city clerk Pongsak Semsan, after inspecting the floodhit area near the Boon Rawd Brewery Co pier yesterday, said the Chao Phraya River had reached the critical level of 2.12 meters yesterday as it took the upstream floodwater and massive seawater inflows. Some 100 riverside houses were slightly damaged by the overflows.

Pongsak said he would contact related agencies to watch and set up barriers at 30 floodprone locations along the river. The city would closely monitor the water situation until November 21, especially November 17 when a massive seawater inflow was expected to cause the river to rise beyond twometrelevel, he said.

In related news, Thai Meteorological Department reported that the high pressure system over upper Thailand had weakened, and the northeast monsoon over the South and Thailand Gulf had become weak.

This caused warmer weather with increasing fog likely in the upper country. A decrease in rain was expected over the South and windwave stayed rather strong in the Gulf thus all ships should proceed with caution in the next two days.

Residents in risky areas of Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phattalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Phang Nga, Krabi and Trang are advised to be alert for flash floods and river overflowings during this period.