Thailand's Worst Flood (25 Nov 2011) - YouTube: ""
Southern storm crisis worsens
At least 2 die in Yala as rivers burst their banks
Flooding in the South worsened yesterday with at least two deaths in Yala, while torrential rain, heavy seas and fierce winds continued to batter several areas in the region.
In Nakhon Si Thammarat, waves as high as 4m, coupled with strong winds, yesterday pounded two fishing villages in tambon Laem Talum Phuk in Pak Phanang district, destroying several houses, residents said.
Many locals fled to higher ground as strong winds blew over coconut trees along shorelines.
Songrit Thanawattana, chairman of the Laem Talum Phuk tambon administration organisation (TAO), said the local power authority had cut off electricity for safety reasons, while water supplies were also cut in some areas because of damaged pipes.
Some residents moved away to stay with relatives in other areas after sea water surged into their homes.
TAO officials have not been able to get to the two villages due to rising water and strong waves, said Mr Songrit.
Meanwhile, locals wanting to move to a new settlement set aside by the previous government for people whose homes are vulnerable to natural disasters have had their hopes dashed.
Accommodation at the settlement, covering around 150 rai, is not yet ready and people will not be allowed to move in until the houses are fit for use.
In Yala, days of heavy rain have caused the Pattani and Sai Buri rivers passing through the southern province to overflow and flood many areas in Muang and Raman districts. Rubber and fruit tree plantations were also inundated. Local residents and rescue workers were yesterday searching for the body of Abdulbazis Tuanhayee, 18, who was swept away in tambon Sateng Nok in Muang district on Wednesday.
The flooding has also claimed the life of Mayading Salaeming, 70, a native of Muang Yala district.
A local weather office yesterday warned residents living along the Sai Buri River in Raman district to brace for flash floods and runoff.
In Songkhla, strong waves in the Gulf of Thailand forced residents living near the coast in Muang district to evacuate to safer ground.
Chamnong Sriraksa, whose house was swept away by waves of up to 3m, said her family has lived in the area for more than 10 years and has never seen such waves before.
In Narathiwat, three days of heavy downpours caused severe flooding in Tak Bai, Sungai Kolok and Waeng districts, affecting over 1,000 families.
Floodwater reached between 1.8m and 2m high, with Hua Saphan community in Sungai Kolok municipality being the worst hit.
In Phatthalung, floodwater in several areas of Tamot, Kong Ra and Si Banphot districts started to subside yesterday.
However, residents living in communities near Songkhla Lake in Muang, Khuan Khanun, Bang Kaew and Pak Phayun districts remained flooded.
In Trang, flood-hit residents from 60 households in tambon Nayong Tai in Muang district took refuge at a makeshift shelter after their houses were submerged under 80cm of floodwater.
The water level kept rising, sparking fears among locals, they said.
The Meteorological Department yesterday warned people living along the southern east-coast of high waves today.
The "rather strong" northeast monsoon over the South and the Gulf of Thailand will cause thundershowers and heavy rainfall along the southeast coast from Surat Thani southwards, the department said.
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