Flooding persists in 26 provinces and Bangkok - Bangkok Post
A boat was still the best way to navigate this road in the Rom Klao area of Lat Krabang district in eastern Bangkok on Friday, Oct 2. (Photo: Bangkok Metropolitan Administration) Flooding persists in 26 provinces and Bangkok, affecting nearly 1.2 million households and 3.2 million people, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) said on Saturday.
Heavy rain in many areas of the country and water discharges from the North flowing into the Central Plains had led to widespread flooding, said Nirat Pongsitthaworn, the departmentโs director-general.
All told, 162 districts, 1,254 tambons and 9,219 villages have been affected across the 26 provinces plus the capital.
The affected provinces are Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Lop Buri, Sing Buri, Chai Nat, Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi, Ang Thong, Saraburi, Ayutthaya, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Chachoengsao, Sa Kaeo, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum and Surin, according to data from the DDPMโs emergency operations centre as of 6am on Saturday.
In Ayutthaya, flooding was reported in 15 districts, covering 181 tambons and 1,200 villages, affecting 48,704 households. One person has died and water levels are rising. In Bangkok, 329,000 households have been affected and four people have died. Water levels are receding, said Mr Nirat.
People affected by flooding receive supplies in Pathum Thani on Saturday. (Photo: Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation)
The DDPM has deployed personnel and equipment to affected areas to accelerate drainage, reopen roads and reduce floodwater levels. Officials are also assisting flood victims, giving priority to vulnerable groups by evacuating them to safe areas and delivering food, drinking water, medicines and other essential supplies to affected households.
In areas where floodwaters have receded, the department will survey damaged homes and property to compile information for assistance in accordance with government criteria. It will also continue issuing situation updates and advice on precautions to the public.
Some households may be able to obtain compensation under the governmentโs new national disaster insuranceย programme, but only if the damage was incurred on or after Oct 1, when the coverage took effect.
As well, the coverage will not apply to areas that were officially declared disaster zones before Oct 1. Ongoing disasters will be handled under existing compensation mechanisms administered by the DDPM.
In a related development, the Ministry of Transport reported on Saturday that 319 locations on its transport networks had been affected, with 119 impassable.
All agencies under the ministry have continued deploying personnel, vehicles and machinery to monitor high-risk areas, reopen roads and accelerate restoration work in areas where floodwaters have receded.
Mr Phiphat said officials had been stationed at high-risk points in areas still experiencing severe flooding to warn motorists, close routes when conditions were unsafe and advise on alternative routes, preventing people from having to risk travelling through flooded areas.
In areas where water levels have fallen, officials have immediately shifted to restoration work, including surveying and repairing damaged roads, bridges, drainage systems and other infrastructure before reopening routes to the public as quickly as possible, said Mr Phiphat.
