Landslides in Thai South

BANGKOK, December 18 (TNA) - Continuous heavy rains in several southern provinces of Thailand in the past few days have caused landslides in many areas, officials said Sunday. Officials have inspected a hill inside a national park and a forest nearby in a village of Rattaphum district of Songkhla resort following heavy downpours in the past few days and found landslide in several spots on the hill. They said severe forest encroachment by people to grow rubber trees was attributed to landslide. Several areas in Rattaphum district could be hit by landslide in the near future. Disaster Prevention and Mitigation officials in Songkhla have already issued a warning to people living in 10 districts to be alert of landslide disaster. In Phatthalung province, a bridge leading to a national park was damaged after it was hit by a water runoff while there was a landslide on a nearby mountain. Trees were uprooted due to heavy rain in the past few days in four districts near Banthad mountain range. Tourists visiting the national park had to drive their cars carefully due to slippery road. Heavy rain hit Trang province Saturday night, forcing many villagers to evacuate from their house and slept in tents. Muang district officer has promised to the villagers urgent repairs would be made on a dyke to prevent flooding problem. (TNA)