SURAT THANI, Nov 5 (TNA) – Residents of southern provinces on the east coast, particularly Surat Thani, Songkhla, Yala and Narathiwat have been affected by high waves and heavy rain.
In Tha Chana district of Surat Thani, residents of coastal areas are moving valuables and evacuating children and elders to higher ground after an estimated two-metre high wave on Wednesday hit and damaged the coastal area and adjacent areas .
In another development, forest runoff from Kang Krung National Park has flooded Chaiya and Tha Chana districts, which are under 20-50 centimetres of water.
Responding to the flooding situation, Tha Chana district chief Santat Na Nakorn warned residents in the municipality to be aware of possible forest runoff.
Meanwhile, some 500 households near Simila Beach in Songkhla municipality are on high alert after strong winds and high waves in the Gulf of Thailand impacted the coastal zone.
Fearing possible further high waves, local residents are keeping their valuables on higher ground. They have no plans to return them to their homes.
Currently, the provincial meteorological centre warned east coast residents of the heavy weather which will prevail over the Gulf until Friday.
In Yala, the provincial disaster centre warned of possible forest runoff and mudslides due to the continued rain.
At-risk areas are the provincial seat, Betong, Bannang Sata, Than To and Raman districts.
Meanwhile, continued rains in Narathiwat flooded lowlands in the provincial seat, Yi-ngo and Bacho districts. Intense wind also damaged some trees.
Shops near Naratat beach in Narathiwat municipality were temporarily closed due to the strong wind and high level of seawater.
Authorities concerned evaluated the damages to prepare for an initial aid for flood victims, but no severe damage has been reported.
According to the Meteorological Department, the strong northeast monsoon still prevails over Thailand and the Gulf. Rain is likely in much of the South from Nakhon Si Thammarat southward. The severe weather alerts for provinces of Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Trang, Satun, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. Heavy weather remains in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. Ships should proceed with caution, and small boats in the Gulf keep ashore during Thursday and Friday. (TNA)
General News : Last Update : 15:44:28 5 November 2009 (GMT+7:00)
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