BANGKOK, Sept 4 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Tropical storm Podul has hit 26 provinces in Thailand, triggering floods and landslides, killing at least 14 people.
Thailand’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department director-general Chayapol Thitisak said tropical storm Podul lashed the kingdom since Aug 29 to Sept 2 and 60,914 families were affected.
“Two are still missing in Amnat Charoen while one was injured in Chaiyaphum,” he said in a statement here Wednesday.
It was reported that four deaths were recorded at Amnat Charoen, three in Khon Kaen, Roi-Et and Phichit (two each), Ubon Ratchathani, Phitsanulok and Mukdahan (one each).
Chayapol said 3,818 houses, 264 schools and institutions, 57 hospitals and clinics were damaged by the floods.
He said about 105,952 hectares of agricultural land, including paddy and horticultural farms were destroyed while 675,586 livestock were affected.
The tropical storm Podul hit 13 provinces in the northeastern region – Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Phanom, Roi-Et, Maha Sarakham, Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen, Nong Bua Lamphu, Yasothorn, Kalasin, Chaiyaphum, Mukdahan, Surin and Udon Thani.
It also hit eight provinces in the north – Phrea, Chiang Mai, Phetchabun, Nan, Uttradit, Pitsanulok, Pijit and Mae Hong Son, three provinces in the south – Krabi, Ranong and Chumporn, two in the east – Trat and Prachinburi.
“At present, seven provinces including Khon Kaen, Pitsanulok, Pijit, Amant Charoen, Ubon Ratchathani, Roi-Et and Yasothorn are still affected by the floods. A total of 1,118 people were evacuated following the floods,” he said.
Meanwhile, Thai Meteorological Department said another tropical storm Kajiki is heading towards Thailand and heavy downpours and thunderstorms are expected especially in the northeast of Thailand.
Authorities fear Kajiki will worsen the flood situation, especially in the northeast.
–NNN-BERNAMA
