Preparations set to deal with more downpours in Thai South

SOUTHERN THAILAND, January 17 (TNA) - The Royal Irrigation Deprtment has installed more water pumps in the Thai South to prepare for a new wave of downpours forecast to hit the southern region during January 17-22. Expressing his concerns over the plight of people in the flood-ravaged Thai South, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister General Chatchai Sarikulya ordered his ministry's Royal Irrigation Deprtment on January 16 to install more flood prevent equipment and tools ahead of the new round of downpours, forecast by the Meteorological Department. The department's Deputy Director-General Thongplew Kongchan quoted the Meteorological Department as saying that a high pressure mass with its moderate strength from China has been covering the Thai Northeast and the South China Sea, while a northeast monsoon, covering the Gulf of Thailand and the southern region, has become stronger, both of which could cause more downpours in the southern region from January 17 to 22. According to the weather bureau, there could be heavy downpours in some southern areas, particularly in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Patthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat Provinces. Floods in the Thai South now mostly remain in low lying areas in Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang and Songkhla, as the Royal Irrigation Deprtment has continually pumping out the floodwater. The department reported that additional 40 water pumps have been installed to drain out excess water, together with at least 143 water pumps having been already installed in the region. Meanwhile, the Department of Health, under the Ministry of Public Health, has sent restoration teams to help revive the environment in flood-affected areas, as well as ensure clean water in shallow ponds, inspect chlorine levels in tap water and clear out affected waste dumps. Permanent Secretary for Public Health Dr. Sophon Mekthon told journalists that mobile medical teams have also been sent to examine patients at temporary shelters and to prevent any outbreak of diseases. Dr. Sophon reported that 20 mobile medical teams have already been deployed in the flood-hit Thai South to assist flood victims, while a team of physicians has also been stationed at a field hospital in Bangsaphan Hospital in Prachuap Khiri Khan, a flood-hardest hit area, to serve patients until the flood-affected Bangsaphan Hospital can be re-opened for normal operations. (TNA)