More heavy rain forecast for the South (Flood update)

06 มกราคม 2560

With hundreds of thousands of people already stranded throughout much of the southern region, more heavy rain is forecast for today and tomorrow.

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Sunday afternoon updates

13 provinces warned of heavy rain, flash floods

A weather forecast model for January 9 via Thaiwater.net

Online reporters

Outbreaks of heavy to very heavy rain are forecast for 13 provinces from now until Jan 10 as the active low pressure over the Andaman Sea and the South and the west coast is moving north slowly into the Gulf of Martaban and Myanmar, according to the Meteorological Department on Sunday.

The 13 provinces are Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan in the lower Central region, and Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun in the South.

People should be aware of the severe weather conditions and possible flash floods from now until Jan 10, and closely follow the weather forecast update.

Escaped crocs not from municipal zoo

The Bangkok Post's Nujaree Raekrun has just reported that the escaped crocodile were from a private zoo, not the municipal zoo:

Crocodiles on the loose in Nakhon Si Thammarat are not from the municipality park and zoo, an official said on Sunday.

The Tha Lad zoo in Muang district in Nakhon Si Thammarat is flooded. NUJAREE RAEKRUN

Deputy mayor of Nakhon Si Thammarat municipality, Manas Pongyeelar, said all four reptiles owned by the Tha Lad zoo in Muang district are in their cage.

At least 10 crocodiles fled captivity on Saturday and were from a private zoo, he said.

Zoo workers returned to the 14-rai zoo again on Sunday to feed all animals but they could not assess the damage as floodwater made it impossible to check all areas.

Sunday morning update

Crocs on loose from flood-hit zoo

Nujaree Raekrun

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: At least 10 crocodiles were on the loose from an open zoo on Saturday after floodwater inundated a huge public park in this southern province.

Muang district municipal officials, who oversee the Tha Lad Zoo, on Saturday warned residents living around Somdet Phra Srinagarindra 84 Public Park, which houses the zoo, to take extra caution for fear the reptiles might be hungry and attack people.

The 14-rai zoo houses more than 10 crocodiles, some measuring up to five metres each, rare bird species and other animals. It is part of the public park, which covers 1,257 rai.

Municipal workers use a boat inside the flood-hit public park to evacuate animals from the zoo. NUJAREE RAEKRUN

Deputy mayor Manas Pongyeelar confirmed that all the crocodiles were missing from the zoo. Municipal workers in boats were patrolling the park in hopes of locating the animals and keeping them away from populated areas, but the task was complicated by rising water levels.

There were reports that local residents shot dead two other crocs on the loose from a private farm in Muang district two days ago during the flooding. The animals were each 3-4 metres long.

Flood relief mission stepped up

Post reporters

Command centres have been set up in the flood-ravaged South to coordinate desperate rescue and relief efforts by state and local authorities as the death toll in 10 provinces rises to 11.

Hundreds of thousands of people remain stranded in their homes across scores of districts and a major effort is required to ensure they are moved to higher ground or receive food and medical supplies, government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said.

The centres will be based in Disaster Prevention and Mitigation regional offices in Surat Thani and Songkhla. Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paochinda will oversee the centres.

"Each centre chief will play a role in setting up units which will be deployed to assist in emergency operations," Lt Gen Sansern said. "Relevant agencies including the military and the police, as well as the administrative and public sectors, will work together to hasten relief efforts."

The Interior Ministry has ordered provincial authorities to join in the relief efforts alongside the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, the army and the navy, which are working around the clock to evacuate people still stranded in their houses, he said.

Friday afternoon update

This pulley bridge with a basket to carry people and supplies was erected across a flooded canal after the bridge was washed away in Nop Phi Tam district of Nakhon Si Thammarat on Thursday afternoon. NUJAREE RAKRUN

Heavy rains continued last night with Nakhon Si Thammarat province hit especially hard. Here is an update from our online reporters:

Canals overflow in flood-hit Nakhon Si Thammarat

Online reporters

Steady overnight rain caused all main canals to overflow in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, with many important installations flooded on Friday morning and major roads under water.

The flood water was 1-2 metres deep in places.

The city hall, provincial court, Maharat Hospital, several schools and business areas along Ratchadamnern Road were flooded. However, Maharat Hospital was still open.

The Nakhon Si Thammarat airport was declared closed on today and will remain closed tomorrow due to the flooding on its runway.

Chamroen Tipayapongthada, the Nakhon Si Thammarat governor, said Cha-uat district was hardest hit. The provincial disaster relief committee would request 100 million baht more from the Comptroller General's Department for flood relief operations.

In Cha-uat district, defence volunteers and military and police personnel had been mobilised to evacuate people from flooded areas to high grounds. Electrical supplies to some areas had been cut to prevent electrocution.

Lt Gen Suchaya Chuwong, commander of the 5th Signal Battalion of the 4th Army, said about 300 people had been evacuated to Cha-uat Hospital, 150 to the railway station and many small groups to nearby temples.

Phra Arayanan Anantho, the abbot of Wat Khao Phra Thong, said the flood in Cha-uat was the worst in several decades. Since the temple is in a high area and remains totally flood free, people can take temporary shelter there.

The rain in the South is expected to ease off on Saturday.

Flooding was heavy in Koh Samui even before the latest rains hit. This photo was taken on Tuesday. SUPAPONG CHAOLAN

Friday morning story

Passengers stranded as floods hit Samui

Supapong Chaolan

Hundreds of passengers were stranded yesterday at Samui International Airport as domestic flights were suspended due to bad weather while locals struggled to cope with flooding following heavy downpours in the South last week.

The weather and flood situation in Koh Samui in Surat Thani province had not improved yesterday, causing 12 domestic flights between Bangkok and Samui to be suspended.

The suspension created a chaotic scene at the airport where travellers returning from long holidays on the island to the city were stuck at the terminal.

Some travellers looked tense as they had flights to catch from Suvarnabhumi Airport to their home countries.

Bangkok Airways issued an announcement, urging its passengers who were scheduled to fly to and from Samui to check their flights before travelling.

Bad weather had affected the safety and operations of the airports. Passengers can contact 1771 around the clock for information about flights and airport operations.

Meanwhile, inter-provincial bus services in the South were also halted yesterday as many roads in the regions are flooded, making them impassable.

Amnat Anartngam, acting president of the Transport Co, which operates inter-provincial bus services, said he had ordered bus services for six routes running between Bangkok and the south to be suspended due to flooded roads.

The routes are Bangkok-Thung Song-Chianyai, Bangkok-Hat Yai, Bangkok-Yala-Betong, Bangkok-Pattani- Sungai Kolok, Bangkok-Satun and Bangkok-Hat Yai-Dannok, and Bangkok-Hat Yai-Padang Besar.

In Samui town, persistent rainfall and run-off from a mountain put the main roads around the island under water, making them impassable for both small and heavy vehicles.

Flooded roads, some of them under 50cm of water, prevented motorcycle riders from commuting causing traffic snarls. Traffic police were trying to help ease the problems.

Surat Thani governor Uaychai Innak said six districts mostly in mountainous areas have been affected by floods caused by heavy rainfall.

Mr Uaychai urged residents in Khian Sa, Ban Na Doem, Phunphin and Muang districts which are in low-lying areas to be vigilant about water overflowing from the mountains in the area and to monitor weather reports.