Thailand floods death toll claims 37 people and stranded thousands of tourists. Victims were either swept away by the rising waters, or buried in mudslides as the unseasonably wet weather deluged the homes and businesses of around a million people in what should be one of the hottest months of the year.
Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra urged for the Interior Ministry to set up a “one-stop service war room” where related agencies cover tasks such as the Royal Irrigation Department’s work with the Agriculture Ministry in finding more water retention areas. Meanwhile, Opposition and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the government should set clear guidelines for handing out financial assistance for flood-damaged farmland.
Thai state media reports that almost 1 million people have been affected by the floods and 28 provinces have been declared disaster areas. Thailand has already faced floods in October 2010.
According to the Thai government data the October 2010 floods Nearly affected 7 million people in more than 25,000 villages, mostly by destruction of property, livelihood and infrastructure. Meteorological Department chief Torsak Wanichkhajorn warned that Khon Kaen and Nakhon Ratchasima may flood at the end of the month due to the Chi River rising, Nation Multimedia reports.
