This bulletin is being issued for information only, and reflects the current situation and details available at this time. The Thai Red Cross Society (TRC) with the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), has determined that external assistance is not required, and is therefore not seeking funding or other assistance from donors at this time.
The situation
The southern part of Thailand was affected by heavy rains which have led to severe flooding in those areas over the last seven days. Between 23-30 March 2011, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) reported that floods hit eight provinces, namely, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Surat Thani, Trang, Chumphon, Songkhla, Krabi and Phang Nga.
The flooding has led to a total of 716,110 persons (about 257,786 households) from 3,464 villages in 536 sub-districts across 80 districts being affected. To date, 11 people have been reported dead.
Preliminary damage is mainly inflicted to housing, construction, public utilities, farmland and livestock, and the flooding has reported to have cost the nation THB 300 million (CHF 9.1 million or USD 9.9 million1).
In the provinces of Chumphon, Krabi, Phang Nga, and Trang:
In Chumphon, the Langsuan district opened one lane of the Asian Highway after debris from mudslides was removed. At this time of writing, workers are still clearing all sections of the highway.
In Krabi, a bridge was damaged, disrupting traffic from the main government building to Krabi airport.
In Phang Nga, floods hit farmlands and extended across a wider area of the province. Flash floods damaged roads and toppled electric poles which caused road blocks on the Takuapa-Phang Nga road.
Damage in Trang's Nayong district to date is estimated at THB2 million (CHF 60,667). The Nayong district is experiencing continuous flooding from the Bantad mountain range into several subdistricts with the overflow of the Trang River. Flooding has affected low-lying areas in the municipality, including the main municipal market which is under one metre of water. Several roads are also submerged.
Follow-up action included warnings given to local residents in low-lying areas, along slopes and hillsides in 11 southern provinces. These include: Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ranong, Surat Thani, Phatthalung, Trang, Satun, Songkhla, Phang Nga, Krabi and Phuket. Residents in these provinces have been warned of possible mudslides and flash floods.