Flood disaster zones declared in southern Thai areas

NARATHIWAT, November 26 (TNA) - Flood disaster zones have been declared in several southern Thai areas where deep flooding has been reported, killing one more person so far. In Narathiwat Province, in particular, eight districts have already been declared the flood disaster zones, after a number of local farmlands and houses have been hit and damaged by critical inundations, with 22 affected schools having been temporarily closed and an unidentified person having been killed by drowning. In Songkhla Province, hundreds of fishermen in the Kao Seng Community have remained ashore and switched to other jobs to earn their living at the moment due to strong winds and waves in the Gulf of Thailand; while the provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office has warned officials in 16 districts to stay on alert for possible storms and floods, especially coastal areas along the Gulf of Thailand. In Trang Province, several villages and more than 500 rai of farmlands (2.5 rai=1 acre) in the Na Yong Tai and the Na Bin La Sub-districts have been submerged by deep floodwater caused by a spate of downpours. In Na Yong Tai, floodwater in some areas has been as high as two metres, forcing local villagers to have sheltered at roadside tents. In addition, water in the Trang River is overflowing its sluice gate and a flood-affected local school may have to postpone its reopening until next week. (TNA)