Risk of landslides and flash floods rising in Phatthalung

The provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office warned yesterday that the southern province is likely to suffer heavy rainfall until Thursday, so residents in 28 villages along the Banthat mountain range should brace for possible flash floods and landslides.

Floods have been ravishing the South for many days. The general flood situation in Narathiwat has improved but several parts are still submerged. 

Raging floodwaters toppled two houses next to a natural floodway in Sukhirin district, causing property damage, but no human casualties. 

A source said the structures collapsed because the land on which they were situated was saturated. 

In the nearby province of Pattani, two hospitals were in danger of inundation. 

Public Health Minister Rajata Rajatanavin said officials were stacking up a sandbag barrier around Nong Chik Hospital as floodwater on the road leading to the hospital had already risen to 40 centimetres.

“Four big pumps are working around the clock at the hospital to keep the rainwater out,” he said. 

Tambon Pakaharang health promotion hospital was also facing possible flooding. 

“Sandbag walls have gone up there and some equipment has been relocated to safer ground as a precaution,” Rajata said. 

Both hospitals are still providing regular services, he said. 

The Public Health Ministry has dispatched mobile medical units to many flood-hit zones to care for victims. Most of the more than 25,000 people tended to by medics were treated for colds and athlete’s foot. 

Permanent secretary Narong Sahametapat said the ministry had not detected any disease outbreaks in the flood-stricken areas. 

“We are now working closely with local administrative bodies to ensure that proper sanitary standards are observed,” he said.