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148579
Wed, 11/03/2010 - 15:08
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http://m.oananews.org//node/148579
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Flood death toll reaches 105 as flood begins receding in hard-hit Hat Yai
SONGKHLA, Nov 3 – The death toll from nationwide flooding on Wednesday reached 105, said Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanavisit, while the waters inundating Songkhla’s Hat Yai began to recede, with more assistance reaching more flood victims.
Public health minister Jurin Laksanavisit also said the number of patients suffering from flood-related illness was around 300,000 in flood-hit provinces while 19 provinces remained submerged, according to the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department.
The department reported all 38 provinces were affected by flooding from Oct 10- Nov 3 and floods in 19 other provinces receded.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the Hat Yai flood situation has improved and relief operations have accessed victims after the flood receded.
He said Deputy Interior Minister Thaworn Senneam directed the flood relief centre to help local residents in Hat Yai and the Royal Thai Army headquarters deployed 1,000 military personnel to provide and distribute food to Hat Yai residents.
As floodwaters in Songkhla's commercial district of Hat Yai began to recede Wednesday morning, Thaworn called an urgent meeting of concerned agencies including the Royal Thai Army, Hat yai Municipality and the Songkhla disaster prevention and mitigation office.
The minister divided the rescue operation into two zones. The army personnel carry out their operation in the inner high-risk areas of Hat Yai with flowing floodwaters of at least one metre deep.
The provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office conducts emergency services on the outskirts of the municipality by using big trucks and flat-bottomed boats to distribute food, water and other beverages to local residents stranded in flood-hit areas.
If there is no more rain in the next two days, local authorities will be able conduct full operations to drain flood water in Hat Yai, Disaster Prevention and Mitigation director general Vibul Sanguanpong said.
Permanent Secretary for Public Health Paichit Varachit said that the flood situation in Hat Yai hospital is eased with the water level dropping to one metre deep.
Electricians tried to retrieve and repair three submerged electric generators. Only one is usable at the moment. If the generators can be repaired, they will help provide service to patients with no need to move them to other hospitals.
However, 20 patients were transferred Tuesday from Hat Yai Hospital to Songklanagarind Hospital due to the high floodwater level.
Regarding services for outpatients, 12 medical units have been set up outside Hat Yai Hospital and nearby areas, Dr Paichit said.
Medical authorities are improving the hospital’s communication system by using radio communication and telephone instead of using cell phones which have been disrupted by blackouts and destroyed mobile signal towers.
The public health permanent secretary said 20 flat-bottomed boats have been stationed at the hospital to provide transportation services for patients. He believed that the flood situation will return to normal soon.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Chinnaworn Boonyakiat on Wednesday confirmed 1,186 schools in the southern provinces have been affected by flood and that he will inspect flood-hit Hat Yai tomorrow.
Mr Chinnaworn said of the 1,186 schools, 555 were located in severe flood-hit Songkhla, 350 in Pattani, seven in Yala, 28 in Narathiwat, 150 in Phattalung, 63 in Nakhon Si Thammarat, 20 in Trang and 13 in Satun.
The minister said the local educational service area office will set up a special centre to help flood-hit victims and students, while Mr Chinnwaworn himself will visit Hat Yai on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Samui Airport in Surat Thani on Wednesday suspended services, citing bad weather conditions still prevented planes from taking off and landing.
The airport on Tuesday temporarily suspended its service due to bad weather before resuming service at 9 pm Tuesday. (MCOT online news)
Public health minister Jurin Laksanavisit also said the number of patients suffering from flood-related illness was around 300,000 in flood-hit provinces while 19 provinces remained submerged, according to the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department.
The department reported all 38 provinces were affected by flooding from Oct 10- Nov 3 and floods in 19 other provinces receded.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the Hat Yai flood situation has improved and relief operations have accessed victims after the flood receded.
He said Deputy Interior Minister Thaworn Senneam directed the flood relief centre to help local residents in Hat Yai and the Royal Thai Army headquarters deployed 1,000 military personnel to provide and distribute food to Hat Yai residents.
As floodwaters in Songkhla's commercial district of Hat Yai began to recede Wednesday morning, Thaworn called an urgent meeting of concerned agencies including the Royal Thai Army, Hat yai Municipality and the Songkhla disaster prevention and mitigation office.
The minister divided the rescue operation into two zones. The army personnel carry out their operation in the inner high-risk areas of Hat Yai with flowing floodwaters of at least one metre deep.
The provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office conducts emergency services on the outskirts of the municipality by using big trucks and flat-bottomed boats to distribute food, water and other beverages to local residents stranded in flood-hit areas.
If there is no more rain in the next two days, local authorities will be able conduct full operations to drain flood water in Hat Yai, Disaster Prevention and Mitigation director general Vibul Sanguanpong said.
Permanent Secretary for Public Health Paichit Varachit said that the flood situation in Hat Yai hospital is eased with the water level dropping to one metre deep.
Electricians tried to retrieve and repair three submerged electric generators. Only one is usable at the moment. If the generators can be repaired, they will help provide service to patients with no need to move them to other hospitals.
However, 20 patients were transferred Tuesday from Hat Yai Hospital to Songklanagarind Hospital due to the high floodwater level.
Regarding services for outpatients, 12 medical units have been set up outside Hat Yai Hospital and nearby areas, Dr Paichit said.
Medical authorities are improving the hospital’s communication system by using radio communication and telephone instead of using cell phones which have been disrupted by blackouts and destroyed mobile signal towers.
The public health permanent secretary said 20 flat-bottomed boats have been stationed at the hospital to provide transportation services for patients. He believed that the flood situation will return to normal soon.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Chinnaworn Boonyakiat on Wednesday confirmed 1,186 schools in the southern provinces have been affected by flood and that he will inspect flood-hit Hat Yai tomorrow.
Mr Chinnaworn said of the 1,186 schools, 555 were located in severe flood-hit Songkhla, 350 in Pattani, seven in Yala, 28 in Narathiwat, 150 in Phattalung, 63 in Nakhon Si Thammarat, 20 in Trang and 13 in Satun.
The minister said the local educational service area office will set up a special centre to help flood-hit victims and students, while Mr Chinnwaworn himself will visit Hat Yai on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Samui Airport in Surat Thani on Wednesday suspended services, citing bad weather conditions still prevented planes from taking off and landing.
The airport on Tuesday temporarily suspended its service due to bad weather before resuming service at 9 pm Tuesday. (MCOT online news)
