Thailand, Flood

Flood death toll confirmed at 112

• Published: 19/09/2011 at 04:32 PM
• Online news: Local News

The death toll from widespread flooding throughout the country has risen to 112 with two people still missing, Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department deputy director-general Prateep Kiratilekha said on Monday.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra visits the flood-affected people on Sept 18, 2011. (Photo by Apichit Jinakul)

Twenty-six provinces - Sukhothai, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Ubon Ratchathani, Yasothorn, Loei, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, Si Sa Ket, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Nayok, Tak, Sa Kaew and Prachin Buri - are still hit by floods, affecting 1.5 million people in 7,688 villages of 171 districts.

Mr Prateep said special attention is now on water levels in low-lying areas in various river basins in Chum Saeng district of Nakhon Sawan; Kabin Buri district of Prachin Buri; Phimai district of Nakhon Ratchasima; Muang district of Ubon Ratchathani; Satuk and Krasang districts of Buri Ram; Suwannaphum district of Roi-et; Maha Chanachai district of Yasothon; Ban Muang district of Sakon Nakhon; Muang district of Uthai Thani; Bang Pla Ma district of Suphan Buri; and Nakhon Chai Si district of Nakhon Pathom.

In the Chao Phraya river basin, water is running past Nakhon Sawan at the rate of 3,935 cubic metres per second and the Chao Phraya Dam at 3,706 cubic metres per second, overflowing low-lying areas of eight provinces - Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, and Nonthaburi.

Households which were flooded for more than seven days would each receive a 5,000 baht relief payment from the government, a message posted on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's Facebook page confirmed on this morning.

"These flood relief measures have already been set and approved.

"Each household affected by flooding will receive a payment of 5,000 baht in compensation and the government started this on Sept 18," Ms Yingluck's message said.

Provincial governors had been instructed to urgently inspect flood-affected fields so farmers would receive prompt assistance.

Pheu Thai MP Ong-at Wachiraphong, on Sept 19, 2011, wants the government to use more powerboats to increase the river flow rate. (Photo by Sunthorn Pongpao)

The Public Health, Social Development and Human Security, and Interior ministries were closely overseeing the people’s well-being in flood-hit areas, the message said.

Meranwhile, an Ayutthaya MP wants the power of navy and army river boat engines to be harnessed to help push floodwaters out to sea after an experiment in the Noi river found boat motors can be used to increase the river flow rate.

 Ong-at Wachiraphong (Pheu Thai) said a recent test in the Noi river, a subsidiaryof the Chao Phraya, found its flow rate increased by 20 per cent, or 57 cubic metres a second, with the help of boat engines.

The propellors of eight powerboats anchored by ropes to bridge posts had helped repel and push out the water in a one-day test, he said. However, each boat incurred a fuel cost of 1,000 baht an hour running its engine.

"It's a good result," Mr Ong-at said. "We need to push water out into the sea [the Gulf of Thailand] as fast as possible while the tide is still not high."

A massive amount of run-off from the North is flowing downstream along the Chao Phraya river to Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Bangkok and the Gulf.