PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN: Patients at Bang Saphan Hospital were forced to evacuate Wednesday after the province was battered by heavy rains for more than 10 hours, causing floodwater in several districts.
Four intensive care unit (ICU) patients with life support were transferred from the hospital to Prachuap Khiri Khan Hospital Wednesday afternoon with three others waiting for relocation, after many areas in Bang Saphan district were ravaged by floodwater caused by heavy rainfall which started at 3am the same day.
The evacuation was jointly conducted by hospital staff, local police and military officers.
Bang Saphan Hospital director Cherdchai Chayawatthanano said the hospital would assess the flood situation before having the remaining 28 patients evacuated while 44 others would be discharged from the hospital as their condition had improved.
Medical equipment was also moved to higher ground. The hospital has abstained from receiving transferred patients from other health providers since Sunday.
Floods also inundated the hospital last December and January, forcing the evacuation of more than 100 patients.
Bang Saphan district chief Sakkarin Thumsaen monitored Nong Ya Plong Bridge on Phetkasem Road where water has reached warning levels after a local canal received flash floods from the Tanaosri Trail.
The water level in a community reservoir in tambon Chaikasem had also rapidly increased.
The Royal Irrigation Department also suggested villagers in tambons Thong Chai, Ban Krut, Kamnoet Nopphakhun, Phongprasan and Mae Ram Phueng move their belongings to higher ground.
Jessada Chokdamrongsuk, permanent secretary for public health, said the ministry warned 42 hospitals and medical service centres in Prachuap Khiri Khan as well as others in Surat Thani's three districts of Kanchanadit, Phrasaeng and Phunphin to be prepared to handle possible flooding.
Phunphin district is the last area which will receive water from the Tapi River before it subsequently flows into the sea.
Villagers are also advised to examine power sockets in their houses to avoid getting an electric shock.
People can dial 1669 for emergency medical services around the clock, Dr Jessada said.
According to a Prachuap Khiri Khan disaster and landslide prevention and mitigation centre, the levels of rainwater Wednesday were measured at 136 millimetres in tambon Mae Ram Pheung in Bang Saphan district, 114mm in tambon Kamnoet Nopphakhun, 104.5mm in tambon Ban Krut, 30mm in tambon Huai Yang and 22.5mm in tambon Bo Nok.
Only a light drizzle was reported in the last two tambons.
In tambon Thap Sake, water levels along both inbound and outbound Phetkasem Road stood at 10-70cm while a railroad was submerged under 30cm of water.
Floodwater also inundated houses and public and private compounds across Bang Saphan district, according to reports from local authorities.
