Seven southern provinces are still flooded and people living in the lower South have been urged to be on full alert for severe weather, strong wind waves and continuous rain as the northeast monsoon still prevails in the region.
Chatchai Phromlert, director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, said on Friday that 90 people were confirmed killed and four missing in the widespread flooding and runoff that had hit 12 southern provinces since Dec 1.
As of Friday, seven provinces remained inundated. They were Nakhon Si Thammarat, Pattani, Surat Thani, Narathiwat, Yala, Songkhla and Phatthalung, said Mr Chatchai.
In Nakhon Si Thammarat, the affected districts were Pak Phanang, Hua Sai and Chian Yai districts. In Surat Thani, Phunphin and Na Doem districts were inundated.
In Pattani, all districts except Tha Yang were affected. They were Thung Yang Daeng, Sai Buri, Khok Pho, Mayo, Mae Laen, Panare, Mai Kaen, Muang, Yarang, Kapho, Yaring and Nong Chik.
All 13 districts in Narathiwat were under water. They were Muang, Bacho, Chanae, Cho Airong, Rangae, Rueso, Si Sakhon, Sukhirin, Sungai Kolok, Sungai Padi, Tak Bai, Waeng and Yi-ngo.
In Yala, flooding remained in five of the eight districts -- Muang, Raman, Yaha, Betong and Bannang Sata.
In Songkhla, Krasae Sin, Ranot and Saba Yoi districts were submerged. In Phatthalung, the flooding areas were in Khuan Khanun, Bang Kaew, Khao Chaison, Muang and Pak Phayun.
The department chief urged residents to closely follow weather forecasts as the strong northeast monsoon prevailed across the Gulf of Thailand the South. This will cause continuous rain in the lower South and strong wind waves in the Gulf.
The strong winds waves are likely up to 2-3 metres high from Nakhon Si Thammarat southward. People should beware of inshore surges. All ships should proceed with caution and small boats should remain ashore until Jan 28.
