Massive Thailand floods claims 675 lives

[-Pastor-Dale-Morgan-]

Perilous Times and Climate Change

Massive Thailand floods claims 675 lives

Wednesday, 07 December 2011 By  MCOT

BANGKOK, Dec 5 - Thailand's flood-related death toll rose to 675 on Monday with three persons remaining missing, the Emergency Operations Center for Flood, Storm and Landslide reported.

As of Dec 5, the centre said, 675 people died in the flooding since it began in August. Two missing cases were reported in Mae Hong Son and one in Uttaradit.

Ninety-one districts in 13 central provinces remain under floodwater, including Chainat, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Supanburi, Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Nayok, Chachoengsao and the capital, Bangkok.

Eleven districts in two southern provinces -- Phatthalung and Nakhon Si Thammarat -- have been hit by another round of floods, while the situation has now eased in another six provinces nearby.

Southern flooding has claimed nine lives in the aftermath of the flash flood from heavy rains which hit the South in late November.

Regarding the flood situation in the capital, Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra earlier announced flooding had ended in 11 districts -- Chatuchak, Lat Phrao, Lak Si, Bueng Kum, Chom Thong, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok Noi, Bang Phlat, Phasi Charoen, Bang Khun Thian, and Bang Bon.

Residents of these districts are allowed to return to their homes after earlier being advised to leave their residences for safety reasons.

Following a fire at Chak Phra pumping station on Saturday, the city's Department of Drainage and Sewerage said the accident was caused by electrical short circuit due to an excessive use of electricity there.

The blaze reduced the drainage capacity and may result in a slight increase of the water level in some canals --Klong Chakphra, Klong Bang Prom and Klong Bangramad-- by 13 centimetres.

The repair work by the Metropolitan Electricity Authority however is expected to be complete by the end of today.