About 20,000 people evacuated in Thailand due to flooding

Floods forced about 20,000 people in the northeastern region of Thailand to evacuate while heavy rains are forecast to continue in the coming days.

Illustrative image (Photo: AFP)
Illustrative image (Photo: AFP)

The Thai Meteorological Department said Ubon Ratchathani is the hardest-hit and will face heavy rains this week due to tropical low depression on September 19, which will affect provinces along Mekong River, then move to the provinces of Chanthaburi, Trat, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phetchaburi, Ranong and Chumphon. 

Evacuators have been informed that it may take them over three weeks to return home. 

Director of the Office of National Water Resources Management Somkiat Prajamwong told reporters that flood prevention agencies need to spend 20 days flushing out 2.1 billion cb.m of water into the Mekong River.

The Thai government and individuals have raised 595 million baht (US$19.5 million) in support of victims in Ubon Ratchathani.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the government will provide about 50 billion baht for rehabilitation efforts.

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