Thailand's southerners warned of new flooding

BANGKOK, January 12 (TNA) - People in southern Thailand living near hillsides and other low-lying areas have been warned to brace for more downpours with, probably, a new round of flash floods and mudslides and offshore high waves over the next couple of days, from January 12-15. The Ministry of Interior's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation on Thursday issued the new warning for people in eight southern Thai provinces, including Chumpon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phattalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat, following a similar warning issued by the Meteorological Department. The official warning said that people in the eight provinces should beware of more downpours, with heavy falls in some areas and a drop in temperatures, as a result of combined eastern and western winds sweeping across the areas, and that all ships should proceed with caution and small boats should stay ashore during the period. According to the official statement, Chumphon southward will particularly see heavy downpours; while Nakhon Si Thammarat southward will see strong winds and high waves of 2-4 meters. (TNA)