Phang Nga counts storm damage

PHANG NGA: Provincial officials have been counting the cost of damage caused by Tropical Storm Kaemi after it hit Southern Thailand last week. Deputy Provincial Governor Wut Sitthisurat yesterday submitted a report on damage caused by the storm to officials at the Ministry of Interior, in which he estimated damage in six districts at 1.1 million baht. He added in his report that more than 6,000 people in 1,500 families had been affected by flash floods and damage to their land. Floods – which were as deep as two meters in some areas – left nearly 15,000 rai of fruit and rubber plantations swamped. Landslides blocked roads in some places. In Tambon Lumkaen, Tai Muang District, a landslide covered an area of 10 rai with debris, blocking all roads in and out of the village. Emergency supplies are being carried in on foot. Phang Nga officials have distributed 2,000 medical care sets and first aid boxes, and 350 emergency bags containing food and other necessities, in the six districts worst affected. Meanwhile, Phuket experienced some flooding from TS Kaemi, but none that lasted more than a few hours. One casualty was reported on Wednesday. Pramote Khongpan, 58, drowned in Moo Baan Lipon, in Thalang District, after he was swept away by water flooding across a bridge on a canal in the village.