Flood persists in Phetchaburi

PHETCHABURI, Nov 25 (TNA) - Flooding persists in the southern province of Phetchaburi and is likely to remain in the provincial seat for several days. Many roads in the province remain under water about 20-40 centimetres deep. Soldiers, rescue workers and volunteers distributed food and drinking water and provided boat service to flood victims. Both inbound and outbound lanes of Phetkasem highway are partly submerged. The Muang municipality expects that the water in the Phetchaburi River, passing two districts drops below the river banks today as the Phetchaburi dam cut water discharge. However, the current flood in the municipality is likely to continue for the next four days as more water still emerges from sewers. Meanwhile, Interior Minister, Gen. Anupong Paochinda ordered relevant agencies to assist flood victims in Phetchaburi and to brace for a new monsoon, which will cover the southern region and the Gulf of Thailand from today until November 28. The meteorological department forecasts heavy rainfall and warns of possible flash floods in Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun. (TNA)