Over 20,000 flood victims remain trapped in northeast Thailand: government

BANGKOK - The Thai Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) confirmed on Thursday that 20,620 victims in four northeastern provinces are still awaiting evacuations from floods caused by tropical storms that have so far killed 34 people.

Chayaphol Thitisak, the director-general of DDPM said at a press conference in Bangkok that 32 provinces have suffered the effects of tropical storms "Podul" and "Kajiki," as well as the southwest monsoon in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand since Aug 29.

He also said that other factors including flash floods, runoff and landslides have hit 182 districts and 7,115 villages in the north, northeast and east of the country.

"These storms and monsoon have affected 418,549 households, resulting in 34 deaths and many injuries," said Chayaphol.

He also said that DDPM is collaborating with military and local offices to evacuate the 20,620 people who remain stuck in flooded provinces including Yasothon, Ubon Ratchathani, Roi Et and Si Sa Ket, all in the northeast provinces.

"State agencies are assisting flood victims by deploying military trucks to help evacuate villagers from their homes along with their belongings," said Chayaphol, "we have also installed several water pumps to help divert floodwater from critical areas, as well as providing food, drinking water and survival kits to flood victims."

At the same time, the Thai Finance Ministry has launched a fundraising program to assist flood victims in north, northeast and central Thailand.