Whilst the landslide in Phuket has made the top of the headlines, there are bad floods in other parts of the country where people have died and people have lost everything they own. Eleven provinces across Thailand have been affected by floods.
The floods in northern and southern provinces are the result of a monsoon trough and low-pressure weather system over north Vietnam and the Gulf of Tonkin. In total, nearly 31,000 households across 62 districts have been affected, with the most tragic results seen in Phuket.
A landslide in the hills above Kata Temple in Phuket at 5am on Friday morning, August 23, resulted in the loss of 13 lives and at least 19 people injured. Most of the victims were Burmese workers, as well as 2 Thai women and a Russian husband and wife.
Chaiwat Junthiraphong of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation says in total, flash floods and forest runoff have affected 11 provinces in the north and south, with 7 still dealing with flood conditions. They are: Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Phetchabun, Udon Thani, and Phuket, with a total of 21,971 households affected.
The water is now receding in most places and local authorities are working with the DDPM on the deployment of water pumps, disaster response teams, and evacuation vehicles.
Anyone in need of assistance is asked to use the 1784 “Safety Hotline” or the “Thai Disaster Alert” app to contact the DDPM.
Donations are still being sought to help those affected by the tragedy in Phuket and can be made to the Living Waters charity HERE.
Phuket residents who wish to donate much-needed items such as bedding, towels, clothing, dry or packaged food, including pet food, and bottled water, can do so at the 5 Star Marine office at Boat Lagoon Marina in Koh Kaew, Phuket.
SOURCE: The Phuket Express
