Floods batter South

[StrontiumDog]

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home...-30141330.html

Floods batter South

By The Nation
Published on November 2, 2010


Residents flee as major flooding ravages Hat Yai after days of rain; Evacuation orders readied as more storms threaten the region

Songkhla province and its business district Hat Yai have been hit by major flooding after 40-hour downpours that were continuing yesterday evening. The crisis is worse than the flooding that hit the province 10 years ago.

"The situation in Hat Yai is worse than what happened 10 years ago, with this year's rainfall setting a record level, and with the Sadao reservoir and others full," said Mayor Phrai Phatthano.

He said 100 flat-bed boats had been readied and water pumps were set up in the areas at highest risk, Wat Hai Yai Nai and Kimyong market.

Residents in Hat Yai were fleeing upcountry from the heavily flooded urban areas in long queues of vehicles, causing traffic congestion in main thoroughfares.

"It's chaos down here," said a female resident who had been stuck in the traffic jam.

In Hat Yai Municipality, evacuation orders were at the ready ahead of floods expected to inundate the area further at about 10pm. Red flags were installed in busy areas in the evening to warn of the danger of flash floods.

A large group of people heading to Sadao district from Hat Yai in three buses were brought to a halt by floodwater reaching half the height of the vehicles.

Hospitals in Songkhla and 200 homes in Saba Yoi district were evacuated because of high floodwaters after days of downpours.

The floodwater level in Na Thawi was 20 centimetres away from breaching the district hospital, where 80 patients had been moved to the second floor of a building, as 2-metre sandbag barriers surrounding the compound could collapse because of the strong currents, said Dr Suwat Viriyapongsukit, director of the hospital.

The Television Pool is running news flashes and issuing warnings about floods and storms hitting seven Southern provinces on the Gulf of Thailand, including Songkhla. The next storm headed for the Southern region was expected to last from midnight to dawn, resulting in high tides and days of rainstorms, the Meteorology Department said.

The storms, after moving across the region from the Andaman Sea, may cause smaller storms in the Gulf of Thailand that will bring more heavy rain to coastal provinces on the eastern side. "Residents living in areas at risk of storms are advised to store food, medicine and supplies for emergency use," the statement said.

Patients and staff at Sadao Hospital were transferred to Hat Yai General Hospital, where medical supplies and liquid oxygen had been stored for use for another 14 days, at the direct order of the Public Health Ministry.

Another measure ordered for Sadao Hospital was evacuation of patients in case of lengthy flooding and off-site medical services with support from other hospitals unaffected by the flooding.

A villager in Sadao district, Thitiphorn Jai-ngarm, said rain began on Friday and continued, resulting in a 3-metre-high floodwater at her home. Power was turned off for safety reasons.

"No agencies have given us help, and all we can do now is help ourselves," she said.

In Saba Yoi district, 200 families whose homes were hit by 1-metre floods have been moved to higher ground. Their homes will be further inundated by water possibly reaching 2 metres and lasting for one or two days, local officials said.

In Hat Yai, many schools are closed and low-lying areas along canals are at risk of flooding because of the swelling waterways. Residents were advised to move their belongings to high ground and stay on alert for emergency evacuation to four locations prepared for them, Mayor Phrai said.

A flood in Ban Thung Lung in tambon Phatong, 30-50cm in height, forced residents to carry away their belongings while building makeshift dykes to prevent water entering their homes. An urgent warning later predicted flooding throughout Hat Yai by 9pm, Phrai said.

In Nakhon Si Thammarat, two people, Nit Chinnawong and Surin Riyaphan, drowned, bringing flood fatalities across the country to 105, including three foreigners, as reported by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.

The three unidentified foreigners were a Burmese, a Cambodian and a Dutchman.

In Phuket, a mudslide warning for 10 locations was issued while monitoring at those locations was underway. The areas at greatest risk are Ban Kalim, Ban Mai Riab, Ban Nua, Ban Chid Cheo and Wat Mai.

In Pattani, floods on main streets in urban areas caused heavy traffic congestion, and a warning was issued for fishing trawlers against going offshore.

About 2,650 families in Satun have suffered days of heavy rain, while 100 families in two districts in Narathiwat have faced chest-level floods.

[StrontiumDog]

• 
  
  

The Alami

Floods in front of Novotel in downtown Hat Yai r as deep as 3 metres in some areas

[StrontiumDog]

One fatality reported, as Songkhla's Hat Yai district isolated by heavy flooding


One fatality reported, as Songkhla's Hat Yai district isolated by heavy flooding


วันอังคาร ที่ 02 พ.ย. 2553

• • 

HAT YAI, Nov 2 -- Heavy rains from the tropical depression currently in the Gulf of Thailand have brought heavy flooding to Hat Yai in Songkhla province, the main commercial district in Thailand's South.

The city is cut off, isolated from other parts of the region as rising floodwaters pour into the city, stalling all business and sending residents scrambling for assistance.

Hat Yai mayor Prai Pattano said floodwaters cover 80 per cent of the district, affecting more than 30,000 households, with an estimated 10,000 people stranded in the city centre, and the water keeps rising, with the waters in some areas reached car roofs and the second floor of commercial buildings.

He said the surrounding areas were also affected with no electricity and pipe water while all roads heading to the city centre were cut off by the flood.

One resident of Tha Kian community died from flood-related electrocution.

U-Tapao canal in Hat Yai is rising continously and the Sadao reservoir could not absorb the high volume of water. Elders and children were evacuated to Wat Korhong municipality school.

Hat Yai district is the commercial centre and main tourist town in the South.

Acting Hat Yai Hospital director Dr Surachai Lamlertkittikul said the water is rising around the hospital even though the rain stopped five hours earlier. The hospital has evacuated patients from the ground floor to its fifth floor.

He said the hospital currently has 559 patients and 662 family members excluding staff and medical doctors.

Four hundred students of Hatyaiwittayakarn School are reportedly stranded at their school in the wake of incessant heavy rain and flooding since Monday.

Meanwhile, rain was reported in all 13 districts of Narathiwat as heavy rain in the province for four consecutive days caused the three main rivers -- the Sungai Kolok, the Bang Nara, and the Sai Buri -- to overflow, flooding residents along the rivers in nine districts.

Main roads were inundated forcing more than 10 schools to close indefinitely.

Songkhla on Monday declared ten districts as disaster zones as continued heavy rain triggered widespread floods in the province.

The Meteorological Department, meanwhile, issued warning of tropical depression in Gulf of Thailand.

In its statement this morning, the department said the tropical depression centered over Trang, southern Thailand with sustained winds of about 50 km/hr. It is now moving west at a speed of 15 km/hr to cover Krabi and Phuket and through the Andaman Sea Tuesday morning. Widespread torrential rain is likely over much of the south from Surat Thani southward with waves of 3-5 metres.

People in risky areas along hill slopes near waterways and in the lowlands should beware of severe weather and possible flash flooding. Residents along the eastern South Coast should beware of force wind and high surge inshore. All ships in the Gulf keep ashore over this period.

For the nest 3-4 days, the ridge of intense high pressure from China will still cover Thailand. Cool and cold weather with strong winds are likely in upper part of the country while the minimum temperature in the upper North and Northeast reaches 12-16 degrees Celsius and on mountaintops at 6-12 degrees Celsius. (MCOT online news)

[sharon]

This is sad and I'm moving there end of this year.

[FarangRed]

This is sad and I'm moving there end of this year.

This happens quite a lot in that area be careful where you live

[StrontiumDog]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/loca...ded-in-hat-yai

Locals, tourists stranded in Hat Yai

• Published: 2/11/2010 at 10:48 AM
• Online news:

About 10,000 local residents and tourists in Hat Yai were trapped by flash floods which hit the southern tourist city early Tuesday morning, Hat Yai Mayor Prai Pattano said.

The floodwater in the city’s business area was measured at two to three metres deep, he said.

Mr Prai said the situation is much more severe than the flood that hit the city in 2000.

“No one had expected that the situation would be so critical, and therefore there was no evacuation of residents or tourists,” he admitted.

He asked for donations of drinking water and food for the flood victims.

He said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will fly to Hat Yai this afternoon to see the situation at first hand.

[StrontiumDog]

12.12pm: In front of Krungthep-Hat Yai hospital

Twitpic - Share photos on Twitter




Very recent pic....posted at 12.30pm










Earlier....

[StrontiumDog]

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home...-30141367.html


Power, communications on Samui disrupted



Power and phone communications on the popular tourist-destination Samui island have been disrupted after they were battered by a tropical storm.

Matichon Online reported at noon that the power and communications on Samui have been disrupted for over an hour and officials were trying to restore the system.

It said the disruption occurred after the stormed brought down several power poles.

It said ferry services to Samui and Pha Ngan were disrupted because of the rough seas.

So far, Bangkok Airways planes could not take off.

The Nation

[StrontiumDog]

Had Yai this morning...



"Yfrog" Photo : yfrog.com/4obbdj - "Shared" by lunarty

[StrontiumDog]

Insane depth to the water!!!!!! Look at the sign post.....holy cow!





Twitpic - Share photos on Twitter

[StrontiumDog]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingn...-disaster-zone

Surat Thani a disaster zone

• Published: 2/11/2010 at 03:47 PM
• Online news:

Surat Thani provincial governor Thirayuth Aiumtrakul on Tuesday afternoon declared 16 districts flood disaster zones, including the tourist islands of Samui and Phangan.

The districts are Muang, Kanchanadit, Don Sak, Pun Pin, Tha Chang, Chaiya, Tha Chana, Ban Nasarn, Viangsra, Prasaeng, Chai Buri, Khirirat Nilhom, Vibhavadee Rangsit, Phanom, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, reports said.

Unconfirmed reports said that all power was out on the island of Samui.

[Bobcock]

My secretary is from had Yai.

Say's her parents house is up to their waists and still rising.

[genghis61]

a bikini pic to cheer you up

Tuesday, November 2, 2010
PHUKET: Organizers of the Phuket Thailand Open have confirmed that qualifying matches for the international beach volleyball event will go ahead as planned from 9am tomorrow on all match courts on Karon Beach.

Although organizers are keeping an eye on the weather, only heavy rain will be allowed to delay play, said Kaewjai “Pu” Kaewpratoom of event organizers Pentangle Promotions.

The latest Meteorological Department forecast for the 24-hour period starting at noon today calls for “fairly widespread thundershowers covering 80% of the area and isolated heavy rain”.

Winds, forecast to be northeasterly from 15kmh to 40kmh, could also have a strong bearing on play.

[genghis61]

the rains/storm seem to have missed us altogether (sth Sa Kaeo, SE from Bangkok) the local reservoirs are full but not overflowing - as they should be at end of wet season, nil rainfall for over a week now and the local town just needs tumbleweeds to complete that 'dustbowl' look at lunchtime today.

Rice harvesting is underway, and bizarrely given the situation in much of Thailand, the next farm has been running sprinklers the last two days on their corn crop.

Consider ourselves very fortunate.

[Mid]

Bangkok Airways to Reopen Samui Airport [at] 19:30
Tuesday, 2 November 2010

Bangkok Airways has confirmed with ASIA Travel Tips.com that its airport in Koh Samui, Thailand, which had been closed due to poor weather conditions that has led to severe flooding on the island, will reopen at 19:30 today (Tuesday, 2 November 2010).

The flights between Bangkok and Samui will run from 19:30 on Tuesday until 02:00 on Wednesday as the airline tries to clear the backlog of passengers stranded.

A spokesperson for the airline said that it is also allowing passengers to change their flights for no extra charge, and that if passengers are unable to fly out today, then they would be offered complimentary hotel accommodation.

Concerned passengers can call the hotline on 1771 if they are in Thailand or +661771 if there are outside Thailand.

When asked by ATT whether the PG spokesperson felt it was safe for travellers to venture to Samui now, or whether he would recommend those passengers to delay their trip, he said it was difficult to say as Samui was flooded.

asiatraveltips.com

[sharon]

Quote: Originally Posted by sharon This is sad and I'm moving there end of this year. This happens quite a lot in that area be careful where you live

Maybe this is a good time to look for a new house, wherever that's no flooding.

I just called the maid this morning, asking her how the house is. Phone service is pretty crap. However, we're able to talk and she said no water for a few days already and electricity is one and off regularly as well.

[taxexile]

When asked by ATT whether the PG spokesperson felt it was safe for travellers to venture to Samui now, or whether he would recommend those passengers to delay their trip, he said it was difficult to say as Samui was flooded.

kind of answers the question though.

[Mid]

Thavorn says aids to be delivered to Hat Yai flood victims by afternoon

Deputy Interior Minister Thavorn Senneam said Wednesday morning that aids will be delivered to Hat Yai residents stranded in their homes by massive floods by afternoon.

He said so far foods, drinking water and basic necessities could not be handed out to the stranded people because the floodwaters were high.

He said when boats from the government and private sector arrived later in the day, foods would be distributed to the victims.

He said helicopters will also be used to deliver aids to the people where boats could not reach.

The Nation



.

nationmultimedia.com

FFS will somebody at the Nation use their Dictionary ?

Aids ffs

[StrontiumDog]

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home...-30141413.html


Hat Yai reeling


By The Nation
Published on November 3, 2010





Relief workers swamped by flood 'worse than 2000'; 7 other provinces in South also battling storm disaster


Despite relief efforts pouring in, heavily flooded Hat Yai district in Songkhla province remains in crisis, with high flood waters in urban areas and widespread effects reported in the outskirts.
A large number of residents were stuck in their flooded homes, as reported in news coverage or relayed messages for help via Facebook and Twitter, with tap water, electricity and land-line telephones cut off. In one case a woman in labour was trapped in her home and could not get to a hospital.

Nearly 600 patients, including 15 in intensive care, have been evacuated from Hat Yai Hospital to Prince Songkhla Hospital by a joint Naval and Army operation, a government flood relief centre said. Many residents refuse to be evacuated, citing worries over their belongings, including theft.

The Information and Communications Technology Ministry reported damage to 80 of its 200 towers after generators attached to them were flooded. A number of mobile satellite signal units have been sent to the area to bridge the missing links and normal mobile service was expected by yesterday evening.

The volume of flood water volume streaming into the business district has reached 250 million cubic metres, a record volume overtaking those documented in 1988 and 2000 and the worst in 70 years, according to the Royal Irrigation Department.

There have been no official figures on flood damage but an initial estimate, from Hat Yai Mayor Phrai Phatthana, cited 80 per cent of urban areas and 30,000 households affected, and 10,000 residents stranded in their homes.

A large number of cars were stuck on bridges after the flood water reached too high a level for them to go through. Many cars parked in lower sections of the bridges were inundated.

Phrai told The Nation that food shortages would be commonplace for another day and the electricity would not be available up to tonight. About 300 guests remained trapped in the Lee Garden Hotel with food supplies running out.

In tambon Khuan Lang, 400 students were trapped in a boarding school, all of them moved up to the second floors of the buildings to stay above the 2-metre flood level. About 20 staff were trapped in Diana Mall, saying they would need food supplies from today onwards.

A weather report said the storms that ravaged Songkhla had moved on to the Andaman Sea, but would still cause heavy rain in all provinces in the South from Chumphon down. Besides Songkhla, the floods are spreading to seven other provinces: Phatthalung, Surat Thani, Pattani, Satun, Trang, Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani.

Her Majesty the Queen has graciously granted rations and supplies stocked at the Thaksin Ratchaniwet Palace in Narathiwat province to be delivered to flood victims, at the initiative of His Majesty. The supplies have been packed in 5,000 survival kits for distribution.

The provincial irrigation office said flood water should subside in Hat Yai urban areas within two or three days if drainage aided by 16 large pumps continued at the current rate. But areas close to Rama I and U Tapao canals require more time because they were swollen to a high level, the agency said.

[StrontiumDog]

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home...-30141414.html


Residents in shock


By SUPITCHA RATANA,
CHAYANON PRANEET
THE NATION
Published on November 3, 2010





Songkhla flood brings back bad memories of past disasters, as some residents forced on to roofs


Flooding has returned to torment Hat Yai residents like a recurrent nightmare.

Chalermchai Thongkaew-on, a resident in tambon Khuan Lang's Na Khuan village, found there was little he could do, no matter how well he prepared. After three days of heavy rain he ended up stuck on the roof of his two-storey home with both the ground and second floors submerged.

Chalermchai, who survived the flood in 2000, said his family lost many belongings in the water that time. And he has stocked up on food ahead of every rainy season ever since, as a precaution.

He relived the nightmare on Monday night, when water 2 metres deep forced him to sleep on the roof.

"This flood is worse than in 2000, because that time I was still able to live on the second floor," he said.

Many neighbours also had a terrible experience in 2000, so they were all prepared, moving belongings higher and storing dried food, he said. But none thought the water would rise so fast or by so much this time - everyone ended up sitting on their roofs waiting for local officials to help or rescue them.

Another resident, Thakorn Thiprongpol, said he used to live in low-lying Bang Faeb village, which was hit hardest in 2000 and gets flooded every year. Having moved "uphill" to Na Khuan village, he couldn't believe his new house would also be hit by flooding.

Thakorn said it rained hard on Monday night, and just half an hour after a public flood warning was issued, his home was inundated. Fifteen minutes later, it was under water 2 metres deep. He expected the flood water to remain for three to four days, but said his family had some rice, vegetables and eggs and a gas cylinder.

Many residents in Songkhla's Na Thawi district, which was hit by a 1.2-metre flash flood on Monday night, weren't even able to grab belongings in time despite a warning from tambon officials.

Second-hand-car dealer Jeerapong Janjaroenkul said his family hurriedly moved their cars to higher ground but the flood hit so fast that two cars were submerged. He lamented that this flood was worse than in 2007, when a 60-centimetre-deep flood hit his shop.

"Now water has covered the car roofs. Na Thawi never had a flood before, and now it has," he said, adding that his family slept on the one-and-a-half-storey house's upper deck. Neighbours with one-storey homes had had to move elsewhere.

Na Thawi resident Neramit Noisamlee expressed shock at seeing the district under water at least a metre deep, saying it had never happened before. He was concerned that water would rise to 2 metres and every area would be totally cut off from the outside world, as the authorities had cut power.

"I have instant noodles to live on during this flood, but it was a mistake, because I have no electricity to boil water and cook it, so I have to eat dried noodles. After 12 hours, I finally had a chance to eat cooked food - from a box provided by officials."

[StrontiumDog]

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home...-30141415.html

Southern villages bear the brunt of massive flooding

By The Nation
Published on November 3, 2010


Flooding has overwhelmed the South, with Songkhla bearing the brunt. Devastated towns and villages testify to the magnitude of the disaster:

SONGKHLA: Thousands of flood victims have been stranded in their homes without electricity and, for some, without telephone communications.

Strong torrents of flood water have covered almost all parts of Hat Yai, the economic hub of the South.

SURAT THANI: Several schools have been closed because of flooding. As a storm damaged electric wires, a blackout dragged on for many hours yesterday.

At press time, ferry services between the mainland and the province's many islands, including Samui and Pha-ngan, had been suspended. About 100 foreign tourists were stranded on Angthong Island, which is part of popular Kho Pha-ngan district.

There were also flight delays at Samui Airport.

PHATTHALUNG: The four districts of Pa Bon, Pa Phayom, Pak Phayun and Tamot have been declared disaster-hit zones.

With flood water a few metres deep, many villages have been marooned. A storm uprooted many trees, damaging more than 2,000 houses and seriously injuring two people. In Srinagarindra district, about 50 families in Moo 4 have been evacuated because of imminent landslide risks.

A portion of the Asia Highway between Phatthalung and Hat Yai is also flooded.

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: Mueang, Sichon, Pak Phanang, Hua Sai, Lan Saka and Chang Klang districts have been declared disaster-hit zones. One flood-related death was reported in Pak Phanang.

In Cha-uat district, a new hall inside Khuan Din Daeng Temple crumbled in the wake of the storm, which also felled many trees and forced the evacuation of hundreds of locals.

NARATHIWAT: Flooding has affected more than 42,000 locals and ravaged more than 15,000 rai of farmland. At least 80 roads were inundated, with boats the only mode of transport.

In the wake of the floods, more than 10 schools have had to postpone the start of the new semester.

Big waves were reported off Narathiwat's coast. Two workers on a fishing trawler, which sank in rough seas yesterday, had to float for hours before being rescued.

YALA: In the face of flooding, many roads have become impassable, and schools in the Yala Educational Service Area II have been closed. At least 53 villages have been inundated and 25 schools affected.

SATUN: There are more than 92,000 flood victims in the province. Rescue workers are handing out food to affected people, especially in hard-hit Mueang and Khuan Don districts.

TRANG: Many local roads have been flooded. The road linking Trang to Phatthalung, in particular, is submerged and impassable to all types of land vehicles.

Inundation has so far affected 1,000 families and destroyed a large number of farms.

KRABI: In the face of inundation, two famous attractions - Hot Waterfall and Emerald Pond - have been closed to tourists. The road leading to the waterfall is full of waist-deep flood water, while shops and accommodation at the entrance to the stunning pond have been ravaged by floods.

PHUKET: Big waves sank eight empty fishing trawlers along the coast. No fishermen have ventured out into the rough sea in such tough weather conditions.

The impact on transport services

Trains suspended between Nakhon Si Thammarat and the deep South;

Ferries suspended between Surat Thani and its many islands like Samui and Pha-ngan

[StrontiumDog]

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home...-30141416.html

Navy's big ships join flood rescue operations

By The Nation
Published on November 3, 2010


The Navy yesterday deployed its aircraft carrier and an amphibious landing ship to help flood victims in the South.

The HTMS Chakri Naruebet, carrying four helicopters, and the HTMS Surin, with several marine amphibious landing craft aboard, left Sattahip Naval Base in Chon Buri at 8 o'clock last night and are steaming to Songkhla's Hat Yai district. The convoy is expected to arrive by 1pm today.

The Chakri Naruebet will act as a command post, helicopter pad, mess hall, kitchen and floating hospital.

The Navy has opened a hotline at 1669 and welcomes donations at two locations during office hours - Directorate of Civilian Affairs near the Grand Palace (call 02- 475 4960 for details), and Bangkok Naval Base in Bangkok Noi district on the Thon Buri side (02-475 4943).

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has delivered 1,000 survival kits and 17 flat-bottom boats to Na Thawee and hard-hit Hat Yai district. The supplies were flown from Bangkok on two Air Force cargo planes. Today 1,500 more kits will be sent, followed by mobile medical teams in the near future.

The Nation Multimedia Group's relief provisions have reached flood victims in Ayutthaya, with transport provided by Isuzu trucks and a logistics firm.

The Thai Red Cross Society has set up mobile kitchens to feed flood victims in Ayutthaya, mainly serving breakfast to monks in the morning, lunch to relief workers and dinner to villagers. Some 50 volunteer cooks prepare 3,000 meals daily.

[StrontiumDog]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/loca...-resort-island

Tourists left stranded on resort island

Koh Tao cut off, Samui, Phangan OK

• Published: 4/11/2010 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

More than 100 tourists have been stranded on Koh Tao in Surat Thani as torrential rains batter the resort island and other parts of the South.


An aerial view of a raised section of a road close to Hat Yai city centre where cars are parked to escape the flood.SURAPOL PROMSAKA NA SAKOLNAKORN

Strong winds and rough seas caused by a depression forced operators of speedboats to halt services yesterday to Koh Tao. Only ferries between the mainland and the islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan were operating as usual.

Tourists stroll through water in downtown Hat Yai as the city slowly recovers from its worst flood in years. TAWATCHAI KEMGUMNERD

Samui residents were afraid to leave their homes as there was no power supply for a second day.

Bangkok Airways cancelled flights between the capital and Samui because the island airport's runway was flooded.

Flights between Phuket and Samui were also cancelled, affecting about 100 passengers, mostly foreigners.

Samui mayor Ramnet Jaikwang yesterday said many areas remained flooded due to continuous rain. Forty-thousand sandbags have been distributed to residents and another 40,000 are being brought in.

Surat Thani governor Theerayuth Iemtrakul said Tha Chana and Chaiya districts were on full alert for flooding as there would be run-off from a mountain in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Run-off from the Kaeng Krung National Park caused flooding in Tha Chana district. Flood waters in municipal areas were about 1.5 metres deep.

All South-bound trains were forced to stop at Tha Chana railway station as floods have made tracks impassable.

Corrections Department deputy chief Somsak Rangsiyopas yesterday ordered the transfer of about 100 inmates from Tha Chana prison to the central prison in Muang district.

In Narathiwat, more than 100 schools were closed by floods that ravaged 13 districts. Flood waters were 60-150cm deep.

A trapped flood victim on a second floor accepts relief packages supplied by the air force. PATTARACHAI PREECHAPANICH

Mobile phone connections have failed in many areas. Residents could not withdraw cash in some areas as many ATMs failed to function.

Floods in Phatthalung have claimed four lives since Monday. Three died in Bang Kaew district and one in Khuan Khanun district. Most were washed away by flash floods that have affected 30,442 families, or 101,826 people, and damaged 70,000 rai of farmland in 11 districts, a source said.

Flood water in tambon Prang Mu in Muang district was about two metres deep as the area retained run-off from Si Nakharin and Kong Ra districts to save Muang district from flooding.

Many residents in Phatthalung rushed to store rice and dried food.

In Chumphon, a main road linking the province to Surat Thani was submerged and impassable to all vehicles.

Thawatchai Witsamol, chief of Lamae district, said a section of Asia 41 Road linking the district to Tha Chana was flooded.

Water levels in all canals have rapidly increased. Run-off from a mountain yesterday damaged four bridges, affecting 10,443 households.

Chumphon governor Pinit Charoenpanit yesterday ordered chiefs of all eight districts and local leaders to be on full alert for an emergency evacuation in case of run-off and landslides.

Trang provincial authorities have declared eight districts disaster zones. Ratsada, Huai Yot, Wang Wiset, Muang, Na Yong, Yan Ta Khao, Palian and Kantang remain inundated.

About 50 schools and universities yesterday suspended their classes as flood waters have not receded. Many areas were 50-80cm under water.

National police chief Wichean Potephosree yesterday ordered police to keep a close watch on banks and gold shops in flood-hit southern provinces to prevent thefts.

A girl sits on a telephone booth to keep herself dry in Ploenjit community in a Hat Yai suburb. SURAPOL PROMSAKA NA SAKOLNAKORN


Air force officers help evacuate an old womanfrom her flooded home. She was taken to a relative’s house in another part of Hat Yai. PATTARACHAI PREECHAPANICH


Garbage left by flood waters remains on the front gate of a shop after the water receded. TAWATCHAI KEMGUMNERD


This elevated vehicle at a roadside garage is among a few saved from flash flooding. PATTARACHAI PREECHAPANICH


A tourist drags his suitcase through kneedeep flood water. The surging waters knocked over this post box. TAWATCHAI KEMGUMNERD

[StrontiumDog]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/loca...er-for-hat-yai

Worst appears over for Hat Yai

Water drains quickly but areas still need aid

• Published: 4/11/2010 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Hat Yai is starting to bounce back from the overwhelming floods as the drainage system built under a royal project after the devastation of 2000 clears the main commercial areas more quickly than expected.

Central Hat Yai is strewn with garbage and debris left behind by the floods which devastated much of the South’s commercial hub. PHOTOS BY TAWATCHAI KEMGUMNERD

Flash floods have eased dramatically in many parts of Hat Yai city, although relief efforts are still being hampered in several pockets by high water and strong currents, authorities said.

The water level in many low-lying streets had receded significantly yesterday after reaching more than two metres high. It remains at that level only in the inner area around Kimyong market.

Authorities say the rapid drop in the flood water was due mainly to the efficient drainage system around the city.

Danaiwit Saibandid, chief of Songkhla's irrigation office, said the system built under one of His Majesty the King's projects after the 2000 floods caused 18 billion baht in damage to the city has played a big role in diverting the flood waters to Songkhla Lake.

The royal projects, particularly six large canals diverting water from Klong U-tapao, have effectively drained the water from the city to the lake.

The deluge that hit Hat Yai this year started showing significant signs of receding within 24 hours after the rainfall ended compared to almost a week in 2000.

Royal Irrigation Department deputy chief Veera Wongsaengnak said Hat Yai Municipality now has an efficient drainage system and the flooding is likely to ease quickly if drainage continues at the rate it is going.

The water level in most areas has dropped to a safe level of between 30 and 50cm after reaching 1.5 metres.

ABOVE Hat Yai residents begin to clean up their shops in the city centre as the water recedes. LEFT A woman washes a mannequin after it was covered with dirty water.

Mr Veera said relief efforts must be focused on low-lying areas where two metres of water is still being recorded.

Thaweejit Chandrasakha, president of the Association of Siamese Architects, said the flash flood in Hat Yai was largely due to unprecedented heavy rainfall, not because of the failure of the drainage system.

Water flow in Hat Yai this year was up to 1,623 cubic metres per second compared to 970cm/sec in 2000, according to the irrigation office.

Mr Thaweejit said the growth and expansion of the town had contributed to the inundation with shophouses and buildings obstructing the run-off.

He said Hat Yai's current city plan expires at the end of this year and a new city plan will need to take into account the expansion.

Mr Thaweejit suggested the development of canals and "monkey's cheeks", or water retention areas, would help drain water and prevent flooding in the downtown area.

As the water recedes, residents and tourists who were trapped in their homes and hotels for almost 48 hours were able to move around yesterday to get food and other supplies.

Preparations to clean up the city have already begun and the situation is expected to return to normal in a few days if there is no more rainfall.

Rescue operations are continuing in the inner area of Hat Yai Nai where several communities are still under 2m of water.

Armoured vehicles and marine landing craft, rubber dinghies and water scooters have been used in the rescue operation.

Food is being prepared at several locations including Prince of Songkla University for distribution to those stranded in their homes.

Several thousand people who are still trapped have been trying to get drinking water, food, painkillers, candles, matches and lighters. Some parts of the city are likely to be out of power and water supplies for at least three days.

Torrential rains since Monday caused by a depression in the Gulf of Thailand unleashed a flash flood on Hat Yai, covering the entire municipality with mud-brown water. Many areas were engulfed by as much as three metres of water.

Police Region 9 is stepping up surveillance to prevent looting after the flood water recedes.

The deluge, which hit other districts of Songkhla, claimed at least eight lives, including a family of five in Singha Nakhon district who were killed in a landslide.

Two people were killed in Hat Yai and one in Muang district.

Besides Hat Yai, districts of Na Thawee in Sadao were also hit by severe flooding.

In 20 upper provinces of Thailand, ravaged by storms and floods over the past two weeks, the death toll has been put at 107.

[Thai Pom]

Songkhla Town itself suffered mainly wind related damage. OK it rained frigging hard but the drainage down town seemed to work quite well. No electric and water but it didnt matter as we all smelt the same.

The beach road looked like a disaster zone with all the trees blown across the road and one trawler aground.