by BERNAMA

BANGKOK – Heavy downpour triggered floods and affected 44,307 households in nine provinces in southern Thailand.

In a statement, Thailand’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said the northeast monsoon over the Gulf of Thailand caused heavy rain in the nine provinces south – Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Krabi, Phatthalung, and Songkhla since Nov 23.

It said the heavy rain in some parts of the south caused rivers to overflow and flash floods at low-lying areas.

“As of today, the water level in some areas have receded. A total of 33,852 households in five provinces – Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, and Songkhla remain affected by flood.

“Nakhon Si Thammarat is the worst hit province where a total of 17,978 households in 13 districts were affected,” it said.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Post reported that all 23 districts in Nakhon Si Thammarat have been designated as disaster zones.

Provincial governor Kraisorn Wisitwong said the announcement would speed up rescue operations and allow the provincial administration to quickly disburse the emergency budget for affected residents, the news report said.

The Meteorological Department said heavy downpours have been forecasted at least until Saturday along the Gulf of Thailand.