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Bangkok Post January 26 1999 Villagers evacuated to roadside refuge
Flash floods submerged huge tracts of rice fields and highways in Trang and Songkhla Sunday as the rest of the country reeled from drought. In Trang, some 5,000 rai of rice fields about to be harvested have come under water and authorities believe that the crops will be ruined completely. Six highways between Trang and Phatthalung were flooded but still passable by vehicles except for a short stretch in front of Na Yong district office where the water level went up to about 50 cm. Some villagers in Tambon Na Yong Nua have evacuated to settle temporarily on the roadside. Several people complained that the impact of the floods could have been considerably cushioned if the municipality had taken precautions by deepening a canal which would have drained water out into the Trang River faster. In Songkhla, the flood caught most residents, especially in Hat Yai district, by surprise because it normally does not occur at this time of the year. Paibul Boonkaewsuk, the deputy governor, warned residents living near Klong U-tapao that the water level would increase. Several low-lying areas in Hat Yai were submerged yesterday. Assessment of damage was still unavailable. Comments to: Webmaster |
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