Flooding in Thai’s South as rainfalls continue

NARATHIWAT, Dec 21 (TNA) - Heavy rains still continued in deep southern Thailand on Sunday while an unidentified person was drowned in Pattani. Officials said the situation in Narathiwat province is now critical after heavy rainfall covered 13 districts, especially Sungai Kolok district where forest runoff flowed down a mountain, causing water in the Sungai Kolok River to overflow its banks, flooding low-lying areas over two metres. More than 300 people living in eight communities have now moved to take temporary shelter at four schools due to severe flooding. In nearby Pattani province, water in the Pattani River overflowed its banks and inundated houses in several villages. Floodwater in certain areas is higher than one metre, forcing villagers to move their belongings to higher ground. Officials said one person was drowned and the body was found near a sluice gate at the Pattani dam. (TNA)