Tourist body retrieved, 10 of 19 Surat Thani districts declared flood disaster zones

June 11, 2012

SURAT THANI, June 11- Thailand’s southern province of Surat Thani on Monday declared half of its 19 districts as flood disaster zones, while a body of an Egyptian tourist who went missing in a flash flood in Phang-nga last week was retrieved.

Surat Thani Governor Cherdsak Chusri announced that the ongoing flood affected over 44,000 residents and damaged 90 roads in the 10 districts with cost of damages valued at Bt40 million.

Meanwhile, the water level in the Tapi River rose to 6.27 metres, flooding houses along the river in Phrasaeng district one to four metres deep.

The inundation forced affected residents to evacuate to safer areas.

In Phang-nga, the body of Egyptian tourist, who went missing in Thursday’s flash flood was found today and transferred to Phang-nga Hospital for autopsy.

Mr Hossan went missing while whitewater rafting in the Klong Songphraek stream last week in the provincial seat.

Currently, the overall flood situation, particular in Phang-nga municipality, has returned to normal, with residents cleaning up their homes.

In a related development, the Sin Pun River in Nakhon Si Thammarat overflowed its bank and flooding houses along the river in Thung Yai district with two-metre deep floodwater.

The flood triggered by heavy rain affected some 100 households and submerged 500 rai (nearly 200 acres) of rubber and palm plantations.

Responding to the natural disaster, Nakhon Si Thammarat Governor Viroj Jiwarangsan instructed officials in all districts to brace for impacts from the incessant rain, particularly in seven districts which are prone to forest run-off and mudslides.

The seven districts were Noppitham, Sichon, Lan Saka, Phrom Khiri, Chang Klang, Ron Phibun and Thung Song. (MCOT online news)

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