FLOODS

FLOODS

Death toll in ravaged provinces climbs to 37

Thirty-seven people people have died in flood-related incidents triggered by Tropical Storm Nock-ten since July 25, according to the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department.

The department released the updated death toll yesterday.
Phrae reported the highest number of fatalities at eight, followed by Mae Hong Son at seven and Sukhothai at six.
Officials said 13 provinces remain flooded, with 1.5 million people affected.
The department said the flood situation remained critical in Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Nan, Lampang, Kamphaeng Phet and Phichit provinces.
However, water has flowed to downstream provinces in the Central Plains, inundating wide areas in Ayutthaya, Nakhon Sawan, Ang Thong and Nakhon Nayok where water levels continued to rise.
Opposition and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the government should set clear guidelines for handing out financial assistance for flood-damaged farmland.
He said he agreed with the proposal to build small dams on the upper and lower sections of the Yom River as an alternative to the controversial project to construct the Kaeng Sua Ten Dam in Phrae.
He was speaking during a visit to flood-affected residents in Ayutthaya's Ban Ban district yesterday.
Kaeng Sua Ten Dam was one of five dams put on hold in 1997 by the Chuan Leekpai government after a groundswell of opposition from conservationists.
Opponents say the dam will damage a precious teak forest, while supporters believe it will be the answer to flood and drought problems.
In Lampang yesterday, the highest flash flood alert was issued in Ban Thung Phueng, Ban Hua Fai and Ban Jae Khon villages in Chae Hom district.
Water run-offs from the mountains have overflowed creeks which feed the main Wang River.
At least 300 homes in the three villages are most prone to flash floods, according to local authorities.
In Nan, the main road through downtown Muang district was under 50cm of water.
Staff in eight schools in the municipality moved quickly to take equipment and belongings out of classrooms. However, no school has closed.
In Phichit, police were mobilised after rice farmers engaged in heated arguments over flood water diversion in tambon Wang Chik in Pho Prathap Chang district.
One group of farmers dumped sandbags to keep out floods and save the paddy, but other farmers wanted them removed, arguing the bags retained water in their communities.
The two groups demanded mediation from the provincial governor and held a rally outside the governor's officials residence in Muang district yesterday.
The farmers dispersed after they handed a petition to the governor through his representative.
In Tak, the Bhumibol Dam, the country's largest, has been siphoning off water to make room for more flowing in from flooded provinces upstream.