2013年10月3日星期四

Threat from typhoon eases

Threat from typhoon eases



Heavy rain expected, cabinet gives green light to establishment of water ministry

WITH TYPHOON Wutip rapidly heading for a downgrade to a low-pressure ridge yesterday, some Thais heaved a sigh of relief but many remained on the lookout for another coming storm.

Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi, who chairs the Water and Flood Management Commission (WFMC), yesterday confirmed that Wutip's threat had diminished.

"The severity of Wutip is less than initially expected," he said.

But he added that Wutip would still cause heavy rain in some provinces.

Still at risk of possible natural disasters were Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Kalasin, Nong Khai, Beung Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Udon Thani, Nong Bua Lamphu, Loei, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Phitsanulok and Phetchabun.

Heavy inundation

Floodwaters in Chaiyaphum have reached between 50 and 70 centimetres since the arrival of Wutip.

"We are now facing the worst floods in half a century," Poj Piromkij said on behalf of more than 200 families in Tambon Talad Laeng in Chaiyaphum's Ban Khwao district.

All three main roads to the local villages had been under floodwater several metres deep for two weeks, he said.

"And now Wutip comes with more downpours," Poj said.

He said the torrents of floodwater were so strong that boats without engines could hardly move.

According to the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, floods have now ravaged 25 provinces.

Flood-related deaths during the past few weeks have reached 23 and more than 2 million rai of farmland have been flooded.

One of the hardest-hit provinces is Prachin Buri, which was visited by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Sunday.

Plodprasop said flooding in Prachin Buri should ease within one week, if no more rain arrived.

However, he said a monsoon trough was now hovering over the Andaman Sea, the South and the Gulf of Thailand, bringing more rain.

"If the wind is strong, it may affect Chanthaburi and Prachin Buri," Plodprasop said.

He remained confident that floods would not hit Bangkok, however.

~News courtesy of The Nation~

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