Flood situation critical in many provinces

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BANGKOK, Oct 9 – The flood situation in many Thai provinces including Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo, Ratchaburi, and Phichit is still critical, as governors of flood hit provinces were instructed to provide emergency  care to victims.

In Prachin Buri, the flood is still spreading more widely, with main roads impassable after water flowed in  from the nearby province of Sa Kaeo adding to already flooded areas.

Floodwater in Kabin Buri district has risen by 20cm, inundated and cutting Road No 304 (Phanom Sarakham-Kabin Bur)i and Road No 33 (Kabin Buri-Sa Kaeo).

Flooding in Aranyaprathet municipality market in Sa Kaeo remains critical, with growing numbers of residents facing economic losses of at least Bt100 million.

Forest runoff from Tenasserim mountain range eroded and cut the road to Maenam Pachee Wildlife Sanctuary in Ratchaburi last night. Some 130 students from Benjamarachutit Ratchaburi School attending a forest camp were stranded.

Foresters and border patrol police have built a makeshift bridge to rescue the students, but rain continues and more forest runoff is expected.

Flood water in Phichit has damaged more than 20,000 rai of paddy fields for more than a week, with no sign of receding. Farmers must use pumps to drain the water.

A Phichit Irrigation Office official said the flood would stabilise for 2-3 weeks before receding.

Wiboon Sanguanpong, Permanent Secretary for Interior, instructed governors in flood-hit provinces to closely monitor the situation and strictly observe regulations in providing assistance to flood victims.