Southern crisis eases, but is not over yet Thousands of farmed fish killed by floodwater

The flood situation in the lower South has improved in some areas, authorities assessing the damage say, but they expect problems related to the disaster to continue.

Residents of the Bi- Centenary Rattanakosin housing estate in Pathum Thani receive boats from the authorities. One of them has ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’snameprinted on its side. The opposition has accused the government of taking undue credit for the distribution of flood relief items.

Thousands of fish raised in floating baskets in Songkhla lake have died following days of heavy rain, which caused the water level in the lake to rise sharply and turn murky.

A huge volume of water from canals and other water sources in Songkhla and Phatthalung provinces flowed into Songkhla lake over the past several days of heavy downpours.

It may also have washed down waste water from factories along the lake and contaminated water from paddy fields and shrimp farms.

The waste water flowed into the lake, causing the death of seabass raised in floating baskets in the lake, local officials said.

Damage to the fish stocks is valued at hundreds of thousands of baht.

Jareuk Kalanuson, one of the affected fish farmers, said more than 10 fish farms in tambon Koh Yor have suffered losses as their fish stocks have died. There were more than 500 floating baskets in the lake.

Meanwhile, the flooding in Songkhla has claimed two lives, including that of a child.

Three-year-old Natdanai Rattanapong was swept away by floodwater in Saba Yoi district yesterday, while Mahamad Samart, 61, a native of Singha Nakhon, drowned when the boat he was riding in capsized during heavy rains, local authorities said.

There were three earlier flood-related deaths in the region _ two in Yala and one in Phatthalung.

Eight districts in Songkhla _ Khuan Niang, Singha Nakhon, Saba Yoi, Rattaphum, Chana, Ranot, Sathing Phra and Muang _ remain flooded, while floodwater in other areas have gradually receded.

The number of inundated villages has reduced from 276 to 260.

In Yala, 29,440 people from 125 villages in five districts have been affected by floods that hit the southern province from Nov 23 to Nov 26.

The flooding has damaged 9,647 rai of agricultural areas and 66 fish ponds, said the provincial disaster prevention centre.

Floodwater began to recede in several areas in Yala, except low-lying areas and areas close to rivers, the source said.

The Interior Ministry's emergency operation center for floods, storms and landslides yesterday said 20 districts in four southern provinces of Phatthalung, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Trang remained flooded, and a total of 31,377 people have been affected.

The Meteorological Department yesterday forecast heavy rainfall in provinces along the southeast coast from Surat Thani southwards as the northern monsoon covers the South and the Gulf of Thailand.

The department said there would be waves as high as two meters in the Gulf of Thailand.