Hat Yai launches centre to handle flood, downpours

SONGKHLA, Nov 17 (TNA) -- Hat Yai business district of the southern province of Songkhla is cautious about the rainy season as it has learnt its lessons from the flooding in the year 2000, prompting the district to be better prepared by officially launching a centre to closely monitor the situation. Mayor of Hat Yai Municipality Prai Pattano said that the city has prepared better measures against flood prevention this year, as it is currently faced with the rainy season, which usually takes place between the months of October to January in the eastern region. The Hat Yai city, said the mayor, has coordinated with local concerned agencies for the launching of an official administrative centre to prevent and mitigate flood and to closely monitor the weather situation 24 hours daily. The mayor said the city has learnt its lessons from the year 2000, where a major flooding had inundated the city under 1-2 metres of flood water. Moreover, the centre would also be responsible in evaluating the situation from the downpours in order to warn the public ahead of the time via the radio, and internet, as well as put warning flags in 18 locations. Southern Meteorological Centre (East Coast), meanwhile, forecast that the a northeastern monsoon would continue to pass through the Gulf of Thailand and the southern region for the time being, causing m continuous and heavy rainfalls in the lower part of the region. The people of Nakhon Sri Thammarat and Patthulung provinces have been advised to stay cautious and be on the lookout for flash floods in the next couple days. (TNA)