South warned of new round of flooding

BANGKOK, Jan 15 (TNA) - Permanent secretary for Interior, Kritsada Boonrat has sent urgent letters to senior officials and governors of southern provinces to prepare for a new round of possible flooding after the Meteorological Department has forecast that a heavy rainfall is expected in the region this week. The Meteorological Department has forecast heavy downpours in the South between January 16 – 18, posing a new flood threat. Officials in low-lying areas in Surat Thani’s Phunphin district and Songkhla’s Ranot district are now on alert and will install water pumps to accelerate draining floodwater in to the sea. In areas where the flood has receded, officials have been told to launch a post-flood cleanup campaign and to dispatch medical teams to help prevent waterborne diseases. (TNA)