Yala villagers start moving back home as floods recede
YALA, 27 January 2017 (NNT) - Villagers of Poyani Village in Sateng Nok subdistrict of Yala province have started moving back to their homes, as floodwaters have receded.
Poyani villagers returned home after the rainy weather finally cleared for two days. Mareeyae Doloh, a villager, said she and her neighbors had taken shelter at the community hall twice since the New Year.
The village's geography is particularly susceptible to flooding. Some families admitted to feeling stress because of the prolonged inundation, which caused work and school to be suspended.
All areas in Yala are expected to dry up, provided there is no heavy rain over the next few weeks. The water levels of the Saiburi and Pattani rivers have receded to below the embankments. However, monitoring stations will continue to closely observe rivers to provide advance flood warning.
The deluge has affected more than 23,000 people or 5,600 homes in five districts of Yala. One person was killed in a flash flood and more than 4,400 rai of farmland is under water.