Flood death toll now 533 | Bangkok Post: news

Flooding still prevails in 24 provinces, affecting over one million people, and the flood death toll has risen to 533 with two missing, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation announced on Thursday.

Two boys: Where's all the water coming from? (Photo by Sarot Meksophawannakul)

The 24 provinces are Bangkok, Phichit, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Sakhon, Samut Prakan, Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Roi Et, Maha Sarakham, Kalasin, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Nayok and Prachin Buri.

The Public Health Ministry reported that seven people were suspected to have been infected with leptospirosis, a bacterial infection which often spreads after flooding, in Phachi district of Ayutthaya provinces.

Seventy-two people were reported to have sufferred from diarrhoea at a condominium in Muang district of Nonthaburi. The illness was believed to have been caused by drinking raw low-quality tap water.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration today declared parts of three districts flood evacuation areas.

They are:

1. Bangkok Noi district (Bang Khun Si and Arun Amarin subdistricts);

2. Chomthong district (Kamnan Maen road, Soi Ekachai 8, Soi Ekachai 14, Soi Ekachai 36, Soi Kamnam Maen 28, Soi Wuthakat 42, and Sala Kruen Ruamjai community); and

3. Bang Bon district (Kamnan Maen 3, Suan Phak, Rim Khlong Phraya Ratchamontri, Wat Noi, Khlong Bang Phran Pattana, and Rang Phai communities; Sangsit, Passakorn 2, SK, Thanabodi, Thuanthong, Wararom, Bang Bon Garden Ville, and Bang Bon Ville housing estates; Bang Bon, Suksawat, and Sirichai markets; Bang Bon housing village, and Ban Nai Rian school in Bang Bon sub-district).

Residents in these areas were advised to move to a safe place or a BMA evacuation centre.

In Bangkok's Lat Phrao district, water from Saen Saep canal overflowed into Lat Phrao Soi 148, flooding many houses and communities in the area.

The water was more than 20 centimetres deep as authorities rushed to plug holes found on the floodwall.

The State Railway of Thailand announced it has suspended train services between Wong Wian Yai station in Bangkok and Mahachai station in Samut Sakhon, on the Gulf, because of flooding on part of the intercity rail link.

The rail tracks between Bang Bon station and Rang Pho station were this morning covered with floodwater about 50cm deep. The water elsewhere in Bang Khunthian district was measured at between 20cm and 30cm deep.

Outbound trains were forced to stop at Bang Bon station and the passengers had to transfer to other types of transport.

The SRT later issued an announcement that train services on the Wong Wian Yai-Mahachai route were halted. There was no indication when the track might reopen.