Upper Thai South now heavily-flooded

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, THAILAND, January 10 (TNA) - Overnight run-offs from the Tanaosri Mountain Range have heavily-flooded Prachuap Khiri Khan Province in the Upper Thai South, especially in Bang Saphan area, cutting off a main transport route towards the country's Farther South. As the current floods in several areas in the Thai South have claimed at least 21 lives as of early this week, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, under the Ministry of Interior, reported on Wednesday that the flooding situation is now worrying in Bang Saphan District, caused by overnight run-offs from the Tanaosri Mountain Range. The inundations have affected the Phetkasem Highway at the Bang Saphan Junction since Tuesday night, damaging part of a bridge and paralyzing land transport in the area. A strong current of floodwater has also hit Bang Saphan Hospital, forcing the evacuation of some patients to Prachuap Khiri Khan Hospital. Besides, a lightning striking a signal pole has disrupted mobile phone services and communication equipment amid continual rainfalls in the area. In Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, the provincial airport has remained closed until January 11 pending an ongoing safety assessment and flooded railway tracks, while many train lines have also been canceled. Authorities have warned of possible landslides in flood-ravaged areas during January 10-11, including Phetchaburi, Prachuap Kiri Khan, Surat Thani, Chumporn, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ranong, Phang Nga and Krabi. (TNA)