Flood relief bill could mount as crisis spreads, says PM

Flood relief bill could mount as crisis spreads, says PM

The government will consider approving more flood relief if the crisis spreads, said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday on a visit to flooded areas in the North and the Northeast.
Her tour of flood-hit areas over several provinces came as forecasters warned of further flooding and landslides in upper Thailand.
Early in the day, Ms Yingluck visited flood victims in Khong Chiam district of Ubon Ratchathani, where about 15 villages have been inundated and 5,000 rai of farmland left under water. She gave flood relief supplies to about 500 people there.
The flooding was caused by the Mekong River overflowing into riverside communities.
Water levels began to subside yesterday, though with China set to release a large volume of water from its dams into the river on Saturday, a new round of flooding is feared.
After Ubon Ratchathani, the premier moved further north to Phichit, where she visited affected people in Pho Prathap Chang and Sam Ngam districts.
She has also instructed cabinet members to visit flooded areas to help victims and report back to cabinet on what help was needed.
The government would have to reassess whether a large flood relief budget would be needed in addition to the funds apportioned to each provincial administration, said Ms Yingluck.
Early yesterday morning, excess water from the Nan River overflowed its banks and inundated about 40 houses in a community behind a train station in Muang district. The rail tracks were also submerged under 20cm of water.
The Royal Irrigation Department issued a new warning, saying communities along the Chao Phraya River in Ang Thong province that have been underwater since Aug 7 should brace for a new round of flooding.
Because of heavy rains in the northern provinces, the run-off from the Nan and Ping rivers that flow into the Chao Phraya Dam has risen rapidly and needed to be released faster, the department said.
In Chiang Rai, flooding remained critical, particularly in low-lying areas of Mae Chan district, where the flood waters remained between 50cm and one metre deep on the second day.
The flood was spreading over several parts of neighbouring Chiang Saen district as the run-off headed south to the Mekong River.
In Mae Suai district, tourists were yesterday warned of the possibility of further landslides on the way to Doi Wawi and Doi Chang hills, two major tourist attractions.
In Mae Hong Son, rescue workers were forced to travel on foot into Mae Sariang and Sop Moei to help the flood victims because the road leading to these districts remained blocked.
Kamthon Thaworasathit, the provincial governor, said he had asked every district to prepare elephants for transporting supplies to the affected areas in the event of roads being blocked by landslides.