Flash floods caused by heavy rain continue to ravage parts of some southern provinces, especially Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Trang, although the floodwater has begun to recede in other parts of the region, according to local reports.
In Surat Thani, runoff from mountain ranges in Nop Phitam district of Nakhon Si Thammarat had flowed into Khlong Wat canal, from which water overflowed to inundate Wang Sai - Khlong Sa Road in Kanchanadit district of Surat Thani, forcing residents to evacuate to higher ground.
About 9.30pm on Sunday, Ban Na Khao in tambon Bang Sawan in Phra Saeng district was hit by a flash flood from a nearby mountain. A strong current swept away a Totoya Fortuner car, from which one man was rescued by villagers, and a woman was also missing.
In Nakhon Si Thammarat, a convoy of trucks arrived in Pak Phanang district about 7.40am on Monday, bringing 20 water-propelling boats to help drainage.
The boats, sent by the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, will be used to speed up the flow of floodwater out of various parts of the province.
Around 8.30am, the supply and docking ship HTMS Ang Thong arrived at a port off Khanom power plant. A helicopter then flew from the ship to examine the flooded area and delivered bags containing survival gear and supplies to flooded areas in Pak Phanang district.
HTMS Ang Thong was to then proceed to a port in Pak Phanang district and deploy rubber boats and special operations teams to trouble spots.
Soldiers and volunteers trekked through a forest on Monday morning for about six kilometres to Ban Huay Kaew in tambon Khao Noi, where about 50 households had been cut off by floodwater, delivering food supplies and necessities to the villagers.
The road through a valley to Ban Huay Kaew, a concrete bridge and two weirs had been damaged. At the village, four houses had been completely destroyed and 10 others partly damaged.
In Trang, two villages in tambons Bang Rak and Nataluang of Muang district were still covered with water three to four metres deep as of Sunday afternoon. Hundreds of houses had been completely submerged.
The Trang - Sikhao road and other roads to several tourist spots including Pak Meng beach were under water.
Wat Prasitchai, Chulabhorn Ratchawithayalai School, government offices and all schools in Muang district were flooded.
In total, heavy flooding had hit six districts in Trang -- Rassada, Nayong, Wang Wisit, Kantang, Huay Yot and Muang - putting 44,500 people in need of help. A villager had reportedly killed in the flood. Many schools have been ordered closed until Jan 13. (continues below)
The main building of this temple in Muang district of Trang is flooded to almost half its height. (Photo by Methee Muangkaew)
According to the 5am announcement of the Meteorological Department, the active low pressure over Surat Thani, Krabi and Phangnga is forecast to head to the upper Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Martaban, Myanmar between Jan 9-10.
Periods of heavy to very heavy torrential rain are expected to continue over Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si, Thammarat, Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket, and Krabi.
People are advised to beware of the severe weather conditions and possible flash floods until Jan 10 and to closely follow the weather forecasts.
The strong northeast monsoon still prevails over the Gulf of Thailand and the South, resulting in wind waves 2-3 metres high in the Gulf and Andaman Sea. People should beware of inshore surge. All vessels should proceed with caution, and small boats keep ashore for the next few days.
