Snowy Owl
Retired in 2010, In Memoriam
Thai floods affect 1.8 million people, killing 32
http://www.todayonline.com/articles/147525.asp
Traffic makes its way through the flooded streets of Thailand's northern Chiang Mai province, following heavy rains. Severe flooding has affected almost 1.8 million people in over 40 Thai provinces, killing 32 and leaving nearly 140,000 suffering from water-borne diseases, officials have said..
Flooding, which began late August after heavy rain, has caused the most destruction in the northern and central parts of the kingdom, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) said..
Some 7,200 houses and 2,300 roads have been destroyed, together with 1.6 million rai (632,590 acres) of farm land, and DDPM estimates that the damage exceeds 220 million baht (5.8 million dollars)..
The sight of families paddling past their homes in boats piled high with belongings has become common on the daily TV news, and DDPM official Prasit Seedangkoet said the flooding remains at crisis level in 16 provinces including Bangkok and its outskirts..
The east of the capital near the new airport is worst hit with flood levels of up to 40 millimeters, he said..
Meanwhile, mudslides have exacerbated flooding in northern provinces..
"Officials have warned residents in flood-affected area to remain on high alert because of more rain coming until Friday and higher sea levels," Prasit told AFP..
Prat Boonyawongviroj, permanent secretary at the heath ministry, said 138,328 people in 20 provinces have been affected by water-borne diseases, with 5,000 seeking medical treatment on Saturday alone..
"Over 100,000 medical packages have already been distributed to affected residents," he said..
Since late August, 32 people have drowned in the flood waters. Prasit said that compensation of 15,000 baht would be offered the families of those killed. ? AFP
http://www.todayonline.com/articles/147525.asp
Traffic makes its way through the flooded streets of Thailand's northern Chiang Mai province, following heavy rains. Severe flooding has affected almost 1.8 million people in over 40 Thai provinces, killing 32 and leaving nearly 140,000 suffering from water-borne diseases, officials have said..
Flooding, which began late August after heavy rain, has caused the most destruction in the northern and central parts of the kingdom, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) said..
Some 7,200 houses and 2,300 roads have been destroyed, together with 1.6 million rai (632,590 acres) of farm land, and DDPM estimates that the damage exceeds 220 million baht (5.8 million dollars)..
The sight of families paddling past their homes in boats piled high with belongings has become common on the daily TV news, and DDPM official Prasit Seedangkoet said the flooding remains at crisis level in 16 provinces including Bangkok and its outskirts..
The east of the capital near the new airport is worst hit with flood levels of up to 40 millimeters, he said..
Meanwhile, mudslides have exacerbated flooding in northern provinces..
"Officials have warned residents in flood-affected area to remain on high alert because of more rain coming until Friday and higher sea levels," Prasit told AFP..
Prat Boonyawongviroj, permanent secretary at the heath ministry, said 138,328 people in 20 provinces have been affected by water-borne diseases, with 5,000 seeking medical treatment on Saturday alone..
"Over 100,000 medical packages have already been distributed to affected residents," he said..
Since late August, 32 people have drowned in the flood waters. Prasit said that compensation of 15,000 baht would be offered the families of those killed. ? AFP