FLOOD SITUATION IN HAT YAI IMPROVES DRASTICALLY

By Jamaluddin Muhammad

BANGKOK, Nov 4 (Bernama) -– The flood situation in Hat Yai improved
Thursday, with more than two-metre deep waters receding drastically and paving the
way for the residents to begin a massive clean-up task involving an economic damage
estimated at 10 billion Baht (RM1 billion or US$336.79 million).

The flood waters subsided very quickly at the main commercial and tourist city
in the Songkhla province of Southern Thailand, thanks to improved drainage
system.

The city was inundated for four days.

The mayor of Songkhla, Phrai Phatthano, said the floods took a heavy toll on
businesses and the tourism industry, causing losses of about 10 billion Baht.

The Hat Yai and Songkhla Hotels Association said 90 per cent of the hotels and
serviced apartments in Hat Yai were affected by the natural disaster, adding
that the Hat Yai Municipality needed at least three days to restore the city.

While hospitals and shops in Hat Yai began to resume operations and
businesses, schools remained closed temporarily.

Apart from Hat Yai, the flood situation in Yala province improved today.
However, the situation in Surat Thani, Chumporn, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang,
Pattani and Narathiwat remained unchanged.

In the central region, all 16 districts in Ayutthaya are still flooded.

According to the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, the flood death
toll nationwide stood at 122, including 12 fatalities from the south.
-- BERNAMA