6 drowned, 1 missing in Pattani

PATTANI, Dec 2 (TNA) -- At least six persons have been drowned and one still missing in the current severe flooding in the southern province of Pattani while officials are putting efforts to drain floodwater and assist flood victims, officials said Saturday. Heavy rains in the past few days have flooded major roads in the provincial seat while authorities have installed pumps in two major areas in a bid to drain floodwater in the city, they said. Several main roads in Pattani are now under floodwater as high as one metre and vehicles are unable to pass through. Flat-bottomed boats are being used for transportation. Officials said more than 18,500 families and over 20,000 rai of farmland in Pattani are now affected by the flood. Meanwhile, flood in Nakhon Si Thammarat province has receded significantly after rain has stopped, officials said. People in the provincial seat have started cleaning their houses. Only a few roads, especially in community areas, are still flooded, they said. The situation in Satun province has also virtually returned to normal while officials believe normalcy would return to the province in the next few days. (TNA)