Flooding, Thousands flee homes around Prachuap

[Bas]

Thousands of families in many parts of Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chumphon were ordered to evacuate to higher ground yesterday as relentless flooding continued to cause widespread destruction.

In Prachuap Khiri Khan's Bang Saphan district, floods have already inundated temples, houses, markets and farms.

Bang Saphan district chief Pradit Yamanan announced through a community radio station that Bang Saphan was now an emergency zone. Rescue workers and volunteers were rushing to help flood victims, using rubber boats.

"We have been closely monitoring the situation. During the past two days, we have regularly issued warnings to residents," said Tambon Kamnerd Noppakhun Municipality mayor Santichai Prasertying.

Careful monitoring of the situation had given Bang Saphan Hospital enough time to transfer all of its 42 patients to other medical facilities.

"We started the transfer at 9am and the process was completed before the floodwaters arrived," the hospital's director Anuthep Malota said yesterday.

Prachuap Khiri Khan had suffered from continuous downpours over the past few days.

In Chumphon, floodwaters had covered Muang Chumphon, Pathiu and Tha Sae districts since Monday night. In the worst-hit areas, floodwaters reached 1.5 metres.

The Asia Road in the province was now knee-deep in water and inaccessible to small vehicles. Many local schools were closed until the situation returned to normal.

Chumphon was yesterday declared a disaster-hit area, with Tha Sae district singled out as being at risk from landslides.

Deputy Chumphon Governor Veera Srivathanatrakoon urged people in risky areas to move their belongings to higher ground.

"Don't wait till the floods arrive," he said, urging residents to closely watch the flood situation and to keep abreast of any announcement from local authorities.

The floods have already affected more than 4,000 families in Chumphon.

In the Northeast, the water level in the Mekong River was also rising rapidly prompting local leaders to be on high alert.

In Ubon Ratchathani's Phosai district, all village heads were instructed to report the water level in their area every hour.

"If a flood threatens to hit, officials will be dispatched to provide assistance," Phosai district chief Kuankid Chalotornrangsi said.

In Ubon Ratchathani's Khemmarat district, Tambon Khemmarat Municipality mayor Vachira Viseschart said tents had been erected to serve as temporary shelters for people who might be affected by the imminent flooding.

"We have prepared relief items for them too," he said, adding he believed the floodwaters would arrive within the next few days because the Mekong River was very high.

The Meteorological Depart-ment said sudden downpours would continue in Nan, Phrae, Uttaradit, Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Amnart Charoen, Kalasin, Roi Et, Ubon Ratchathani, Chanthaburi, Trat, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Ranong and Phang Nga.

The Nation 2006-08-16

[Bamboo Grove]

Went to Ranong for the visa run yesterday. The road was accessible all the way but there was a lot of flooding on both sides of the road in southern Prachuapkhirikhan (Bang Saphan) and Chumphon and it was raining all the time (not heavy rain, though.) Some houses were flooded as they were on lower grounds and didn't have the typical pillars of traditional Thai house. As Ko Talu is fairly popular snorkling destination from Hua Hin, does anybody know the situation there? Is it possible to get to the beach where the boats leave for the island?

[Bas]

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has ordered a quick response to flooding in upper South and plans to assign the Royal Irrigation Department to address the problem of repeated flooding, particularly in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, with long-term solutions.

On the third day of his tour of the North, Mr. Thaksin told reporters in Chiang Mai on Wednesday that the current flooding in the upper southern provinces of Prachuab Khiri Khan, Ranong, and Chumphon would
not cause much trouble to the region.

He said that he believed the floodwaters would soon recede, and that provincial authorities were well-prepared to deal with the situation.

However, he said, Prachuab Khiri Khan's Bang Saphan district, worst hit by the floods at this time, needs special attention as it has experienced heavy floods over and over again.

"Long-term solutions are needed to address the repeated problems in districts situated in low ground, " Mr. Thaksin said, in assigning the Royal Irrigation Department "to study what can be done, such as
building a reservoir."

Floods triggered by torrential rains hit several areas in Bang Saphan, prompting the evacuation of patients from its district hospital to other hospitals on Tuesday. Some local residents were moved to higher ground.

Deputy Interior Minister Sermsak Pongpanit said that the floods in the three provinces have begun to recede, and that traffic has resumed on major roads previously submerged by the floodwaters.

Meanwhile, relief efforts are going on, including an evacuation of patients from flooded hospitals to safer places.

Regarding long-term solutions to repeated floods in Bang Saphan district, Mr. Sermsak said a reservoir design has been completed, but is awaiting budget approval for its construction.

TNA

[buksida]

On the third day of his tour of the North, Mr. Thaksin told reporters in Chiang Mai on Wednesday that the current flooding in the upper southern provinces of Prachuab Khiri Khan, Ranong, and Chumphon would
not cause much trouble to the region.

He said that he believed the floodwaters would soon recede, and that provincial authorities were well-prepared to deal with the situation.

Mr T doesnt give a rats arse about any province south of Bangkok, he's too busy buying ploughs and mobile phones for all those needy Issan farmers that are about to vote in two months time.

Just returned from Bang Saphan at the weekend and yes, it was pretty damn wet down there.