Flooding worse in Narathiwat

General News - Wednesday December 19, 2007

FAR SOUTH / HOMES EVACUATED, VIOLENCE

Flooding worse in Narathiwat

POST REPORTERS

More than 65,000 people have been affected by severe flooding in Narathiwat as heavy monsoon rains continued to wreak havoc in the far South yesterday. Narathiwat has been hardest hit by the flooding, where nearly 1,200 villagers in five districts have had to be evacuated after strong mountain run-off damaged around 30 houses, officials said.

Sukhirin has been the worst-hit district where flooding has paralysed public utilities. Uprooted power poles and fallen trees have blocked the roads to at least 27 villages while temples and mosques and nearly 200 roads in the province remained submerged underwater last night. The Election Commission and Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont insisted the Dec 23 general election will not be delayed in the flooded provinces.

''People can still travel (to polling stations). Some bridges have been damaged, but main highways can still be used,'' Gen Surayud said, adding he planned to visit flooded areas on December 21.

In Yala, 72 schools were closed due to flooding after the Sai Buri river burst its banks. The 180km river runs through Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani.

In Songkhla, about 300 villagers were evacuated from two villages in Saba Yoi district to escape possible mudslides as rain continued to pour down across the far South yesterday.

Rescue workers also raced against time to evacuate residents from Ban Nacha Haen and Ban Tam Talod to higher ground last night.

The two villages are situated in areas particularly prone to flash floods and mudslides.

The province has been soaked by persistent rainfall for the past week.

Neighbouring Pattani has also faced heavy flash floods. Further heavy rainfall is expected in the southernmost part of the region as the northeastern monsoon continues to linger in the area.

The Meteorological Department has advised people living in flood-prone areas to brace for mountain run-off over the next two days.

Bangkok Post