8 provinces reeling from Doksuri flooding

Cars battle the run-off from the Phetchabun mountain range as they make their way along the main highway near the Wang Thong Hospital in Wang Thong district of Phitsanulok. (Photo by Chinnawat Singha)

Water is slowly receding in eight provinces ravaged by widespread flooding brought on by tropical depression Doksuri.

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Doksuri leaves grim picture

Post Reporters

Water is slowly receding in eight provinces ravaged by widespread flooding brought on by tropical depression Doksuri but heavy rainfall continues to wreak havoc in low-lying villages, authorities said Sunday.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation was assessing the damage in eight provinces that are still reeling from heavy floods triggered by Doksuri, which started out as a typhoon before weakening to a tropical depression as it swept over parts of the North and Northeast and has since moved into Myanmar.

The depression also battered parts of the lower South. The weather bureau has predicted rain will linger in the Central Plains, the East and parts of the South until today.

Doksuri left in its wake flooded plains and homes in 29 districts and 215 villages in eight provinces – Kalasin, Sakon Nakhon, Phrae, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Phangnga and Satun – from Friday to Sunday.

(Doksuri is a Korean word meaning eagle, or in general, a bird of prey.)

Soldiers fit a temporary bridge over one that was washed out by tropical depression Doksuri in Kalasin. Photo by Yongyut Phuphuangphet

The department chief, Chatchai Promlert, said his agency has worked with local administration organisations to hand out assistance to flood victims while repairs of flood-damaged bridges and roads were under way.

Flash floods in vast areas took residents by surprise. Soldiers and local emergency response units raced against time as they arrived in boats to rescue stranded residents and house them in temporary shelters or with relatives.

Mr Chatchai said the situation was improving with less rainfall but authorities were closely monitoring weather conditions and the level of rainfall, including in areas where the floods were ebbing.

Fast-deployment emergency teams were on standby in flood-prone localities such as on river banks and at the feet of mountains where water runoff has given way to landslides and flash floods.

You can read the full story  with details on individual provinces here: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1326235/doksuri-leaves-grim-picture