Flooding continues in Trang

TRANG, Jan 24 (TNA) - The southern province of Trang remains under water as heavy rain triggered flooding along the Trang River. Water from the Trang River has flowed through collapsed flood embankment and about 1,000 houses in Kantang district and the provincial seat have been submerged. A road has been cut off while the water is likely to keep rising as the areas receive floodwater from Nakhon Si Thammarat province. Meanwhile, flood receded in Nakhon Si Thammarat but it faces the problem of drainage and sewage clogged by garbage. Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute director Royol Chitradon conducted a survey on water way and bottleneck areas in Trang and the Trang River to find a long term solution to tackle flood problems after he was instructed by the prime minister. He said a large-scaled dredging is likely to be undertaken in the Trang River to accelerate water flow into the sea. The information, collected in the survey will be discussed with related agencies to prevent recurrence of severe flooding. Meanwhile, Somphon Srriporananond, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce said the agency estimated the cost of the damages by flooding in the South at about 10-20 billion baht, particularly the loss in export opportunities and border trade. The evaluation took into account the delay of transportation for exports due to traffic disruption and damaged roads. The southern tourism was also affected as the news about Thai flooding broadcast by local media in Malaysia and Singapore has psychological impacts on tourists, he added. (TNA)