ID :
150375
Fri, 11/19/2010 - 13:25
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/150375
The shortlink copeid
Thailand's flood-related death toll reaches 232
BANGKOK, Nov 19 - Thailand's flood-related death toll rose to 232 on Friday while the centre to help flood victims warned of possible further floods and landslides in the southern region which now faces the seasonal monsoon.
Director-General Wiboon Sanguanpong of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said that 232 deaths were reported in 29 out of 51 provinces which have been affected by floods this year.
The situation has eased in 35 provinces and restoration and reconstruction work is now being carried out, said Mr Wiboon.
Seventy-eight persons died in the central provinces, 76 in the South, 50 in the Northeast, 25 in the North and three in the East, he said.
The disaster response chief said that drowning was the main cause of death, followed by electrical shock and landslides.
Mr Wiboon said families of the victims will receive state funds of Bt25,000 financial aid, plus Bt75,000 for funeral cost.
Meanwhile, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office Satit Wonghnongtoey, as director of the flood victims help centre, said Friday that officials are now closely monitoring the southern provinces along the Gulf of Thailand which may face further flood and landslides, while rains are still scattered in provinces along the Andaman coast which is now under the monsoon season weather system.
A special alert remains in effect in Chumphon, Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces, said Mr Satit.
The particulars of 520,000 households effected by floods have been sent to the flood victims help centre, Mr Satit said, with more names expected to be reported, said the minister. Within this month, Bt5,000 initial will be paid to 632,000 households.
As for the South, he indicated, the Cabinet has been informed about 370,000 families which have been affected.
Mr Satit added that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has instructed the centre to be cautious on budget spending to prevent any substitution of names not entitled to the special funds. Scams which divert the funds for the intended recipients are termed subrogation, and the prime minister warned against any abuse of the plan to aid flood victims.
The minister said the verification process to prove the recipients are the real victims for whom the funds are intended is strict, with endorsement of many level of state officials needed in each payment. He pledged severe punishment if any complaint is lodged. (MCOT online news)
Director-General Wiboon Sanguanpong of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said that 232 deaths were reported in 29 out of 51 provinces which have been affected by floods this year.
The situation has eased in 35 provinces and restoration and reconstruction work is now being carried out, said Mr Wiboon.
Seventy-eight persons died in the central provinces, 76 in the South, 50 in the Northeast, 25 in the North and three in the East, he said.
The disaster response chief said that drowning was the main cause of death, followed by electrical shock and landslides.
Mr Wiboon said families of the victims will receive state funds of Bt25,000 financial aid, plus Bt75,000 for funeral cost.
Meanwhile, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office Satit Wonghnongtoey, as director of the flood victims help centre, said Friday that officials are now closely monitoring the southern provinces along the Gulf of Thailand which may face further flood and landslides, while rains are still scattered in provinces along the Andaman coast which is now under the monsoon season weather system.
A special alert remains in effect in Chumphon, Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces, said Mr Satit.
The particulars of 520,000 households effected by floods have been sent to the flood victims help centre, Mr Satit said, with more names expected to be reported, said the minister. Within this month, Bt5,000 initial will be paid to 632,000 households.
As for the South, he indicated, the Cabinet has been informed about 370,000 families which have been affected.
Mr Satit added that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has instructed the centre to be cautious on budget spending to prevent any substitution of names not entitled to the special funds. Scams which divert the funds for the intended recipients are termed subrogation, and the prime minister warned against any abuse of the plan to aid flood victims.
The minister said the verification process to prove the recipients are the real victims for whom the funds are intended is strict, with endorsement of many level of state officials needed in each payment. He pledged severe punishment if any complaint is lodged. (MCOT online news)
