Three killed as fresh floods hit four southern provinces
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Three killed as fresh floods hit four southern provinces

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At least three people died in fresh flooding which battered four provinces in the South yesterday, which has affected over 43,500 households across the region to date.

Phatsakorn Bunyalak, director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), said floods in the South have inundated at least 43,595 homes in 27 districts across Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat.

While the floods have begun to recede in many areas, authorities in Surat Thani remained on high alert, as water levels in the Tapee River continued to increase, according to a DDPM report yesterday.

The renewed flooding claimed the lives of three people in Nakhon Si Thammarat -- the worst-hit province -- where 32,608 households across 11 districts are affected by inundation, Mr Phatsakorn said.

The DDPM has deployed extra resources, including heavy machinery, helicopters and additional manpower, to rescue stranded residents and hand out relief packages, he said, adding local authorities are surveying the damage in their respective areas to calculate the compensation for affected residents.

Separately, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat yesterday ordered the Royal Irrigation Department to keep track of floods in affected provinces, spokesman Ekkaphob Phonsue said yesterday.

Since Nov 22, 11 provinces have reported extensive flooding, affecting 675,160 homes in 98 districts across the country. The floods have claimed the lives of at least 32 people.

The Meteorological Department said more wet weather is set to come to the South, adding to the misery brought on by the fresh floods that began on Saturday.

In downtown Nakhon Si Thammarat, many areas in the west of Muang district were flooded by 30–50cm of water.

In Tha Sala district, many roads were flooded, rendering them impassable by smaller vehicles. Local residents must rely on boats to enter their communities.

In Sichon district, Trairong Laosakulsuk was rescued after his truck became stuck along a flooded road. Mr Trairong said a flash flood suddenly hit the road he was driving on.

As the water rose rapidly, he wasn't able to leave his vehicle in time.

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has suspended 14 train services from Bangkok on the southern line.

Inter-provincial buses still operate as per normal to the South.

However, the Transport Company Limited has warned journeys to the South may take longer than usual because of the floods in Chumphon.

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