austraLasia 1362
Floods in Southern Thailand swamp our schools
BANGKOK: 20th December 2005 -- Many Southern provinces of
Thailand are awash, and with them a number of Salesian schools and
schools in areas administered by Salesian parishes. Particularly
badly hit is the commercial hub of the South, Hat Yai, and our school
there where waters have already reached the first floor level.
But also affected are Surat Thani, Yala, Ronphubun and Nakhorn
(short version of a longer name). The SIHM Sisters have a school
at Nakhorn. All schools in these regions have been closed after
at least two weeks of drenching.
The major problem has been the run-off from
mountains and the poor drainage further down. Mudslides are a
major hazard, and the cause of a number of deaths. The rains are
not unexpected at this time of the year, but the suddenness of the
flooding and its ferocity were. At least 27 people are now reported
dead, two of them in Hat Yai. Most train and bus services south
of Hat Yai have been suspended and in places the railway track has
actually been removed to assist the lowering of water levels.
Rains have stopped, but 1-2 metres of water still cover most low-lying
areas.
_________________________
AustraLasia is an email
service
for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions
as an
agency for ANS based in Rome. For RSS feeds, subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/rssala.xml
