Thailand’s flood death toll rises to 165

[CrazyExpat]

Thailand's flood-related deaths climbed to 165 on Monday, the national Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department reported.

The death toll was reported at 122 people in the upper part of the country from Oct 10 to Nov 8.

Eighteen provinces remain under water and flood water receded in 21 provinces in the upper part of the country affecting 6.1 million people and 6.3 million rai of farmlands (about 2.5 million acres).

The department worked with local authorities to send 1,400 flat-bottomed boats, 388,418 sets of flood relief supplies and 1,608 makeshift tents to flood impacted areas.

The department reported the number of deaths at 43 in 12 southern provinces affected by flooding triggered by the recent tropical depression from Oct 30 to the present. More than 280,000 people were affected by flooding.

The department sent 161 flatboats, some 5,000 sets of flood relief supplies and 3,000 tents to flood-stricken areas.

While the flood problem continues, local residents in Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Lan Saka district as well as officials remain on high alert bracing for possible recurrence of landslides after mud and stones on Sunday slid down from a mountainside.

Lan Saka district chief Apinan Puegpong on Monday made a helicopter inspection of Klong Ha village where the landslide occurred on Sunday.

Following the survey, there were some evidence and signs showing the landslide and stones moving to another spot however it is not at high risk.

Mr Apinan said that official and workers on the ground still cannot reach the landslide location as the area is near a cliff.

Currently, the district warned residents of possible heavy rains Nov 9-10 and coordinated with community leaders as well as local army units to help evacuate villagers if the flood-related situation worsens, the district chief explained.

Moreover, two units of the authorities concerned are closely monitoring the situation and are warning the villagers to move to a local school which has been prepared if the flood-related incidents occur.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Chinnaworn Boonyakiat said according to a survey, 828 schools have to postpone the opening of the new semester for another one week for rehabilitation work.

The ministry geared up disbursement of the Bt176 million budget approved by the Cabinet to help schools and students affected by flooding.

The ministry will also start releasing caravans of flood relief supplies to 30 schools in central provinces on Tuesday.

Vocational students are now building two emergency houses for two families in Khanom and Sichon districts. They will be finished and sent to flood victims on November 13. (MCOT online news)

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