Southern provinces start clean-up operation after flood

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, Jan 20 (TNA) -- Some flood-hit southern provinces are now begin cleaning-up after the worst flooding crisis improved while some are under threat of more severe weather. Villages on the bank of Songkhla Lake faced continuing heavy rains with gusty winds forcing some residents to evacuate. The conditions hampered the efforts to revive the livelihood of victims after weeks of inundation. In Prachuap Khiri Khan, troops and volunteers urgently repaired and restored houses, government offices, roads and other transportations. People at shelters in Trang have started to return to their houses after floodwater receded. Metropolitan Police chief on Thursday sent out a truckloads of relief supplies that flood victims in Surat Thani province. Most of the main highways in the south have now passable. Repair works on rail tracks have completed to allow more train services to resume. The Meteorological Department forecast strong northeast monsoon across the Gulf of Thailand. Heavy rains will continue in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat in the next couple days. It warns of severe conditions and possible flash flood. (TNA)