ID :
148254
Mon, 11/01/2010 - 16:42
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Cabinet endorses Bt2.9 bln to compensate flood victims

BANGKOK, Nov 1 -- The Abhisit government’s Economic Cabinet on Monday approved flood relief measures to give 5,000 baht (US$172) to each family affected by flooding with a budget of Bt2.9 billion (US$100 million).

About 620,000 households will receive compensation and one thousand baht will be given for those whose homes were damaged by flooding. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva earlier said those affected would be compensated within a month, paid by the Government Savings Bank and the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Co-Operatives.

Thailand's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation on Monday reported that as of October 31, 221 districts in 22 provinces are affected by the floods, including Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Buri Ram, Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Maha Sarakham, Ubon Ratchathani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Supan Buri, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, and Chachoengsao.

Previously, 38 provinces were affected by the floods while the situation eased in 16 provinces -- Pichit, Phetchabun, Rayong, Chantaburi, Trat, Tak, Chonburi, Lamphun, Chiang Mai, Sa Kaeo, Nakon Nayok, Kamphaeng Phet, Phitsanulok, Nong Bua Lumphu, Prachin Buri and Samut Prakan.

Some 1.1 million households or 3.5 million people are still impacted by this year’s especially severe floods which have also damaged 4.1 million rai (1.6 million acres) of farmland.

Meanwhile, the flood situation in the South is worrisome as the Meteorological Department warned of flash floods and landslide in southern provinces due to tropical depression.

In Songkhla, continuing rain in the past two days flooded houses and roads along canals in three districts. A bridge crossing the Uthapao canal in Hat Yai district has is submerged and is impassible. The water level in the canal is likely to rise further and residents along the canal are advised to move their belongings to higher ground.

However, in Hat Yai municipality, the water level in Uthapao canal has not yet reached a critical level.

In Narathiwat, heavy rain for three days has caused swollen rivers. About 100 homes in Rueso district have been flooded. In the provincial seat, shop owners moved their belongings to higher ground. A number of roads are flooded and five villages have bee cut off. Emergency services and volunteers are using flat-bottomed boats to help flood victims.

In Yala, heavy rain caused the water level in the Pattani River to rise and inundated rubber plantations. The water level in the Saiburi River and the Banglang dam is rising. A centre has been set up to monitor flash floods and landslides in eight districts. (MCOT online news)

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