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Storm kills mum, daughter |
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 Thailand
Strong winds, heavy rain batter the South
A mother and her two-year-old daughter in Trang were crushed to death Wednesday by falling trees as fierce winds and rain slammed the southern region.
Thipphawan Plotthong, 32, and her daughter Natnicha Kunlaphat died in their sleep as trees fell on their home.
Rescue workers were able to extract Chirasak Kunlaphat, Thipphawan's husband, from the house, which was crushed in the pre-dawn hours by three 70-year-old phayung (Siamese rosewood) trees.
The trees had stood in the compound of the coordination centre for the Mu Ko Libong Non-hunting area in Kantang municipality but came down in the strong winds.
The family was sleeping at the time. Mr Chirasak was awakened by a loud bang, but said there was nothing he could do except wait for help in the darkness.
Mr Chirasak, a wildlife official, was transferred from Hat Chaomai National Park two months ago to work in the Mu Ko Libong Non-hunting area.
Chaiphruek Wirawong, head of this protected archipelago, will ask for permission to fell some large trees in the office compound as rain continues to drench the ground, making it unable to support the trees' roots. He is worried other trees could topple over.
There were also reports of rubber trees and electricity poles falling in seven districts in Trang as winds whipped the province.
Two fishing boats capsized off Trang Wednesday as strong winds whipped up the Andaman Sea, but all 15 crew members survived.
The crews _ three Thais, seven Myanmar and five Cambodians _ battled strong waves but made it ashore.
Trang's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office has warned boats to avoid going out to sea during the storms.
Ranong also suffered widespread damage after a downpour triggered flash floods in Muang, Kra Buri, La-un and Kapoe districts.
Villagers in tambon Thong Lang in Kapoe district have been stranded in their neighbourhood for two days after floods destroyed a bridge that links the village to outside areas.
Ranong governor Phirasak Hinmueagkao has set up temporary centres to provide assistance to flood victims in all affected districts and help evacuate people from high risk areas.
His Majesty the King has also donated survival kits to flood-affected villagers in tambon Hat Sompaen in Muang district where more than 30 homes were inundated.
In Surat Thani, mudslides were reported in Ban Khlong Mui, a mountain village in Wipawadi district, while in Chumphon, some areas in Phato district have also been flooded.
Elsewhere, officials were keeping a close watch for possible mountain torrents near waterfalls on the Banthat mountain range in Phatthalung.
Tourists and villagers were warned against travelling to the area.
Meanwhile, Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri yesterday told public health doctors and medical staff in 16 flood-prone provinces to brace for floods and be prepared to help victims. The government has prepared 800,000 packages of medicine, 10,000 of which were sent to Chumphon, he said.
Bangkok Post
07 June 2012
Photo Caption
Residents and motorists are stranded after floods cut off the main road in Phato district of Chumphon yesterday. The 3-metre-deep water submerged almost 500m of the road, which connects the district to neighbouring Ranong province. The flooding from water runoff was caused by heavy rain. AMNART THONGDEE |
