Flood Paralysed Pattani, Province Declared Disaster Zone

By Minggu Simon Lhasa PATTANI, Dec 24 (Bernama) -- The Pattani town in Southern Thailand was submerged in 2m of flood waters in certain areas after four days of heavy rain and coupled with overflowing water from Sungai Pattani. Pattani Mayor Pitak Kokiart Pitak said the town was inundated under two metres of water in the town centre and several residential areas by 11am Tuesday. The flood also affected 193 villages with 37,790 people from 10,098 families affected. Several main routes such as Pattani-Hatyai and Pattani-Yala roads were closed to traffic after coming under flood waters. Pattani Province Governor Wirapon Keawsuwang also visited the evacuees and handed over aid to victims in the interiors, especially in Kampong Jemok, Mukim Pakaharang and Muang Pattani. He said eight districts in Pattani, namely Muang Pattani, Nongchi, Yarang, Yaring, Kapor, Saiburi Tungyang-daeng and Maelan were declared as natural disaster areas. Meanwhile, the southern Thailand Meteorological Department forecasted the flood in the southern region to continue until the end of the year while flood casualties have risen to seven, including three children. (photoBERNAMA) -- BERNAMA