Thailand, Flooding in Southwestern Province

The floodwater ran deep enough and fast enough to wash away a barrier along the centre of Phetkasem Road, worsening the traffic flow which had already been forced to a snail‘ pace. Workers were kept busy diverting water from inundated areas while others were ordered to build walls of sandbags to protect houses, especially those in Soi Hua Hin 102 and 112 which are in the centre of the district‘ most flood-prone zone "We need to pump water out to sea as fast as we can," Hua Hin mayor Chirawat Phoemphun said yesterday. Elsewhere in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, health officials started evacuating patients from Bang Saphan Hospital to Prachuap Khiri Khan Hospital as parts of Bang Saphan and Bang Saphan Noi districts also endured serious flooding, reportedly their worst in the last two decades. At least five schools in the vicinity were closed Flood levels there measured up to 30-50cm yesterday morning with runoff flowing over several kilometres of the highway in Moo 12 village of tambon Kharon. Heavy downpours are expected to continue in many areas of the South today, the department said, adding that small trawlers should stay in port to avoid expected treacherous conditions at sea. In Prachuap Khiri Khan, flooding has prevailed in Bang Saphan Noi, Bang Saphan, Thap Sakae and Muang districts, affecting over 10,000 people in 129 villages. One people was reported killed. The water is receding. In Chumphon, 472 villages in 60 tambons of Pathiu, Sawi, Muang, Lang Suan, Thung Tako, Tha Sae and La Mae districts have been ravaged by flash floods with 36,315 people affected. Two villagers were reported killed and 65 schools, 65 roads, 56 bridges and 4,235 rai of farmland damaged. The water is receding. Mr Chayapol said concerned officials and soldiers as well as disaster relief equipment have been deployed to drain water from flooded areas. Survival kits and necessities have been distributed to flood-hit villagers.