Nine districts in Narathiwat have been identified as disaster areas, including major towns such as Sungai Kolok, Sungai Padi and Joh I Rong. A disaster mitigation centre has also been set up in Narathiwat’s Muang district to coordinate information and relief.

Narathiwat governor Sithichai Sakda began handing out relief items yesterday and as of press time, 128 households totalling 520 people had been assisted. He has also instructed people living in affected areas to protect their property, move livestock to safer locations and remain in contact with authorities.

Many parts of the 12 provinces in the region, stretching from Chumphon in the upper South down to Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat in the far South, are still suffering from flooding.

In Yala province, the swelling Pattani River has hit residential areas, affecting 999 households and leaving more than 4,000 people in need of help. The Region 4 Army has called for a disaster mitigation team to be set up as the situation is expected to worsen in the coming days.

Meanwhile, the 41st Paramilitary Regiment has sent a team of soldiers to Yala’s Raman district to rescue residents of three communities, Ban Kampong Ba Ngo, Ban Bu Kae Sue Ngor and Ban Pa Yong Ngae.

The three communities, which are located in low-lying areas, are regularly flooded. Soldiers had to travel by boat to deliver survival kits to the residents and a team of medical staff also visited to offer basic medical assistance.

More flat-bottom boats are needed in Raman district as several roads are under two metres of water, while other roads are inaccessible due to strong currents.

Grisada Boonrach, permanent-secretary of the Interior Ministry, said yesterday that he has ordered assistance plans to be revised as the Meteorological Department has predicted more heavy rain over much of the South for the next 10 days.

Local public venues, such as city halls, schools and mosques will be turned into flood shelters, while the local administrative authorities will work with the Provincial Electricity Authority and the Provincial Waterworks Authority to prevent electrical problems and injuries and alleviate drinking water shortages.

Grisada said the distribution of flood-relief bags will be conducted in line with state regulations to avoid complaints from residents.

Evacuation centres will also be set up when necessary. Local authorities can seek additional funding from the government if their funds are not sufficient to deal with necessary assistance, he added.

According to the Meteorological Department, downpours over the next few days could trigger flash floods.