BANGKOK, Thailand – More than 10,000 households in 12 provinces across the northern, central, eastern and northeastern regions of Thailand are flooded, affecting almost 40,000 people, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.

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DDPM Director General Teerapat Kutchamath said the department has coordinated with its provincial offices, district offices, centres and local administrative organisations, foundation volunteers and relevant agencies to send officials and mechanical equipment to help and to evacuate vulnerable people to safe areas, with officials also instructed to assess the damage to each household and list them for compensation.

Among the flooded provinces are Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Sing Buri, Suphan Buri, Saraburi, Ayutthaya, Chanthaburi, Chachoengsao, Sa Kaeo, Trat and Surin. Heavy overnight downpours lashing Chon Buri caused widespread flooding in Sattahip, submerging a one-kilometre stretch of Sukhumvit Road and triggering severe traffic gridlock, with several cars malfunctioning and stopping on the road. A 96-year-old bedridden man was assisted by officials but refused to leave his home.

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In Sa Kaeo province, the governor has warned people living along Phra Sathoeng canal to evacuate to safe areas, as five million cubic metres of water have been pouring into the canal and pushing the level up.

-Thailand News (TN)