Sittwe, 2 August 2015 The latest wave of flood in Arakan State in western Burma has compelled thousands families to leave their villages for safer places, when 18 people died because of the disaster. According to U Tin Maung Swe, chief administer of Arakan government,the evacuation of thousands of Arakanese people from their residences was already completed. He also added that the victims include nine persons from Minbya township, four from Mrauk U township, three fromMaungdaw township, one each from Ponna Kyaunt and Kyauk Taw township. However, the locals claim that the number of deceased would be much higher that the government data. The victims died after the flood water inundated their villages as a result of heavy rain with the cyclone Komen that crossed Arakan’s northern coast on 29 & 30 July. The evacuated 33848 people from 9 townships are now taking shelter in53 temporary relief camps which are opened at various schools,monasteries and temples, he added. H...

 Bangkok Post Monks race to get campus up and running after it suffered damage estimated at B200m Monks are hard at work cleaning and repairing Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University after the floods. People at the flood relief shelter at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University attend the baisee sookwan ceremony to boost their morale. Those who sought refuge are now leaving the university as the shelter is closing down and the areas inside the campus are now dry. SOMCHAI POOMLARD The university is still surrounded by water, more than two months after runoff arrived. Monks are cleaning a tower where the Tripitaka (Buddhist scriptures) and textbooks are kept, as others wash pathways, in preparation for when the university resumes its Buddhism course for 1,500 novices next week. While the inside of the university itself is dry, the once lush landscape of the 330-rai campus is spotted with dead trees, a legacy of flood damage which the university puts at 200 million...

Bangkok Post Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra has agreed to raise four more sluice gates to allow water from neighbouring Pathum Thani province to flow into canals now that the floodwater in many Bangkok areas has receded. MR Sukhumbhand announced the decision on Wednesday. He said water levels in major canals such as Khlong Rangsit have also fallen. This meant several inner areas would not be at risk of flooding. As the situation was not worrying, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will raise four major sluice gates on the northern and eastern sides of Bangkok to allow northern runoff to flow into the canals, the governor said. The four are Khlong Phraya Suren, Khlong Sam Wa, Lam Bueng Khwang and Lat Krabang sluice gates. The Khlong Phraya Suren watergate will be raised from one metre to 1.3 metres, he said. However, the BMA reserved the right to adjust the sluice gate opening if necessary, he added. The Khlong Sam Wa sluice gate will be raised to 90 ...

THE NATION ON SUNDAY November 20, 2011 9:05 am Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra reassured yesterday that inner Bangkok would be not be flooded, while the government would speed up the process of compensating victims. The country's post-flood rehabilitation plan had also boosted international confidence in Thailand, Yingluck said in her weekly radio programme, delivered by phone from Bali, where she was attending the Asean Summit. Yingluck also thanked various countries for providing assistance to Thailand and urged greater cooperation from Asean in tackling disaster and water management, pointing out that many Asean countries suffered from floods. She said Asean leaders had agreed, saying Thailand's initiative could pave the way for a disaster-operations cen?tre for Asean. Yingluck also thanked various countries including Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, China and the US for their concern and help. Yingluck said the government would implement a one-year rehabilitat...

VOA Photo: AP A Thai volunteer, left, pours detergent as others sweep a road during a cleaning drive after flood waters receded in Bangkok, Thailand, November 20, 2011. Residents of Bangkok, Thailand were hard at work cleaning up their city Sunday, during a "Big Cleaning Day" campaign launched by the city. Sunday saw blue skies, dry weather and hundreds of people with brooms sweeping mud and debris from homes, while teams of volunteers removed rotting piles of garbage from the streets, as flood waters finally began receding from the center of the capital. Thai government officials say flood waters have been receding steadily and that most streets in Bangkok, should be dry in two weeks.

Bangkok Post The government's Flood Relief Operations Command (Froc) on Wednesday conceded that it really could not say if the Victory Monument area and Rama 2 Road would be inundated by the flood. Photo by Patipat Janthong Responding to growing public anxiety, the Froc director, Justice Minister Pracha Promnok, said it was very difficult to evaluate the flood situation because the water was moving underground through the city's sewers. The Victory Monument area is regarded as the heart of the capital, and Rama 2 Road is the main and last remaining dry route to the South from Bangkok. It was impossible to control the floodwater flowing into the underground sewers and that was worrying, Pol Gen Pracha said. The best the Froc could do was pin its hopes on the water drainage system of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), which was in full operation to drain the flood out of the capital through its eastern areas. Pol Gen Pracha said the flood comman...

The Nation November 9, 2011 11:37 am This compilation shows the latest efforts by private companies in addressing flood impacts. Contact achara_d@nationgroup.com. Beverages for flood victims Aje Group is boosting capacity of its beverage plants, to cope with rising demand in Thailand. Hernan Cordova, managing director of Aje Thai Co Ltd - its local unit, said that so far the company has donated beverages worth over Bt2.1 million to flood victims, aside from "Ceilo" drinking water worth over Bt10 million which is distributed through 7 relief centres. "We hereby extend condolences to Thais in light of the historical floods and goods shortages. In this unfortunate event, Thais help each others and this should be shown to the world. In recognition of Thai hospitality, Aje Thai is giving our beverages to ease the suffering. Hopefully, the situation will wind up and return to normal soon," Cordova said. Goods Fair Bangkok Bank, in partnership with mo...

The Nation November 9, 2011 11:30 am The World Health Organisation on Wednesday said the water production of the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) meet the WHO's standard. WHO representative David Sutherland said "the water production is in line with the World Health Organisation [WHO] standard. He was speaking after inspecting MWA’s Bang Khen plant together with other agencies including PM Yingluck Shinawatra. The visit was made to assure the public that tap water in the flood-hit capital is still safe for consumption. Japanese Ambassador to Thailand Seiji Kojima and the Japanese media also joined the visit.. MWA governor Jarern Passara said his agency had already solved quality problems, and the tap water was now safe to drink. Yingluck said, "I have come here in person because I want assurances for the public that tap water is still safe. But if you have time, boil or filter before drinking it because that will improve its colour and smell." ...

The Nation November 9, 2011 11:30 am The 2012 Budget Bill has failed to reflect flood-related problems and neglected to factor in the post-flooding circumstances, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Wednesday. "The government has made distorted assumptions about flood impacts when making budgetary allocations," he said, leading the opposition's critique of the planned spending. Abhisit said he understood that allocations had been prepared in the midst of the flood crisis and while facing time constraints. "The opposition parties want to see a speedy disbursement of the budget to help flood victims," he said. He said he had four points about the budgetary allocations. Firstly, the spending plans are not compatible with the economic situation, particularly the projection for revenues in the face of flood damage. Secondly, the government presents no clear plans on how to overcome the crisis. Thirdly, the government fails to rearrange...

The Nation November 9, 2011 11:25 am The Yingluck government is allocating nearly Bt200 billion of the 2012 budget to address short-term challenges arising from floods and drought as well as to strengthen the macro-economic strengths. Of total, Bt45.3 billion is allocated to ease the impacts of floods and drought. This fund will be partly used to support the artificial rain-making, expand the irrigation area by 302,000 rai, and manage the existing 24 million-rai irrigation area. Another Bt120 billion is also set aside for flood impact rehabilitation and prevention. This amount will be used for the repair and construction of infrastructure as well as relief measures. A budget of Bt20 billion is allocated to stabilise the fiscal position, Bt33 billion to boost agricultural product and competitiveness, Bt8.68 billion to boost the food manufacturing sector, Bt6.9 billion to promote trade and investment, and Bt89.3 billion for infrastructure. Highlighted in the draft budget are ...

The Nation November 9, 2011 11:15 am The government will take prompt action in preventing a repeat of the catastrophic flooding, Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong said on Wednesday. "The only way to restore investors' confidence is to act instead of talking," he said. Kittiratt said the two strategic committees tasked with preventing future flooding would convene in the next few days. The two - the Strategic Committee for Reconstruction and Future Development (SCRF) and the Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management (SCWRM) - will closely work together to overcome the flooding, he said. The SCRF is headed by Virabongsa Ramangkura, he said, adding that the SCWRM is led by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra who will delegate him to chair the meeting on her behalf. In order to improve water management, the SCWRM will involve foreign consultants, particularly those from Japan and the Netherlands, he said. The government is expected to finance the...

Bangkok Post he Bangkok Metropolitan Administration on Tuesday declared parts of Bung Kum district evacuation areas, Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said. The areas are in Nuan Chan and Khlong Kum sub-districts. Declared evacuation areas in Nuan Chan sub-district are Soi Nuan Chan 52, 54, 56, 58, and 60; Soi Navamin 50, 64, and 90; and Soi Ram-Intra 38. In Khlong Kum sub-district, only Soi Navamin 74 is declared an evacuation zone. People in these areas are advised to move - taking their valuables, cars and other items - to an evacuation centre or a safe place with emphasis given to children, pregnant women, sick people and the elderly. The floodwater has also arrived in front of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's residence in Bung Kum, reports said. The water on the road in front of Ms Yingluck's home was reported to be about 30 centimetre deep. The floodwater had not yet flowed into the house as it was held back by a sandbag wall, according to the repor...

Bangkok Post The government has settled on a strategy to reconstruct the country in the wake of the flood damage, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said at a press conference on Tuesday. "The country is now entering a stage where remedies and rehabilitation can restore the people's confidence. The government has come up with a strategic plan for national reconstruction," Ms Yingluck said. She said the plan had three stages. The first stage involved the flood centre solving various urgent problems, distributing relief items to the flood victims, and providing medical treatment for people at all evacuation centres. The second stage centred on bringing every system back to normal as soon as possible. It would be carried out while the floodwater is receding or after it has receded. Measures to be taken at this stage included compensation for damage and loans and other privileges for affected individuals and the affected business sector. The third sta...

The Nation November 9, 2011 12:27 pm Authorities have warned Bangkok residents against floating their krathongs in flood water. Krathongs are decorative floats that Thais have for centuries floated on the night of Loy Krathong, one of the country's most colourful festivals. This year, the Loy Krathong festival falls tomorrow. However, millions of Bangkok residents are now surrounded by flood water and many may be tempted to launch their floats in front of their inundated homes, a move that many agencies fear could cause fire. People usually light candles on their krathongs. "If your floats get trapped in a house and cause fire, you will face legal action," Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Maj-General Amnuay Nimmano warned. He said revellers should strictly float their krathongs in prepared areas only. Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) would open unaffected public parks for the Loy Krathong fe...

THE NATION November 9, 2011 12:26 pm His Majesty the King is concerned about flood victims and wants to see the deluge drained away soon, Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said yesterday. His Majesty has proffered advice and granted audiences to the government to consult with him, the general said. All Thais, out of gratitude, should express their best wishes for the beloved monarch's quick recovery, he said. What most people need is assistance during the inundation, especially those having to continue to go to work, he said. The Army has been providing transport services to affected people, though that sometimes wasn't sufficient because it has only 2,000 vehicles, and some have to be rotated for maintenance. The Army has asked the National Flood Relief Operations Centre for more vehicles. Food and bottled water distribution can't cover all flood victims. While it is easy to take care of those living in temporary shelters, officials have difficul...

THE NATION November 9, 2011 12:25 pm Water levels in key waterways near Suvarnabhumi Airport are increasing slowly, while preventive measures and monitoring of the situation are underway. The level in Lat Krabang Canal north of the airport has increased by 2 centimetres, and a branch of it in the south by 4cm. The level at the nearby Lat Krabang watergate has increased by 3cm, and at Prawet Burirom watergate by 3cm, senior airport official Suk Phuengtham said. Airport director Somchai Sawasdiphol said the situation was under control, as the flood water surrounding the compound was between 40cm and 67cm, while the flood barriers were 3.5 metres high. The military has repeated its pledge to defend the Bang Chan and Lat Krabang industrial estates from encroaching floods. Defence Minister General Yuthasak Sasiprapha said there was time left for the military to do their best. "These are two estates that have so far survived the floods. If we fail again here, we have failed r...

The Nation November 9, 2011 12:23 pm The Cabinet yesterday approved Bt3.1 billion to be spent on compensation for flood-hit Bangkok residents. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has been instructed to look into people's eligibility for compensation within two weeks, with each eligible family entitled to Bt5,000. "Within 45 days, compensation should reach the eligible people," deputy government spokeswoman Anuttama Amornwiwat said yesterday. She added that preliminary information shows 621,355 families in Bangkok had suffered from the floods. However, only families whose houses have been submerged by flash floods or left swamped for at least seven consecutive days, which has damaged their properties, are eligible for compensation. "Only residents in disaster-hit areas, as declared by the BMA, claim compensation from the government," Anuttama said.

The Nation November 9, 2011 12:20 pm The Bank of Thailand will drop its growth forecast even lower for gross domestic product this year as the massive flood works its way through Bangkok and into Samut Sakhon. "How much [the Monetary Policy Committee] will decide to revise downwards the GDP figure on November 30 will depend on the latest estimated loss figures. The situation has not yet stabilised," Deputy BOT Governor Suchada Kirakul said yesterday. The flood situation is still evolving. Flood waters are spreading into downtown Bangkok and some areas of the neighbouring provinces, she said. On October 28, the central bank slashed its growth forecast to 2.6 per cent from 4.1 per cent after floods swamped almost 10,000 factories and threatened to seep into the capital. The tourism industry is expected to see a decline of about 700,000-800,000 arrivals this quarter, resulting in the no-show of about Bt20 billion in income. These effects were not taken into ...

The Nation November 7, 2011 7:04 am Bangkok will face a tough task getting rid of more than three million tonnes of trash and treating huge volumes of dirty water left behind by the flood. A key problem is that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration cannot send garbage trucks to flooded areas while 9.4 million people in those areas were expected to generate about 500 kilograms of rubbish each over a number of weeks. "A suggestion for residents at this moment is to keep the garbage and all kinds of waste above water," Worrasart Apaipong, acting directorgeneral of the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry's Pollution Control Department, said yesterday. People were dumping all kinds of flooddamaged debris such as stuff made from plastic, books, furniture and electronic devices, while some 500,000 cars were partially submerged and would need to change some parts such as batteries and engine oil, he said. The department is coordinating with ...

Bangkok Post The government's Flood Relief Operations Centre will provide a total of 71 pumps for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to use to drain water out of the capital city, Froc director Pracha Promnok said Monday. Pol Gen Pracha, the justice minister, said that of the 71 water pumps, 48 were bought with Froc's budget from China, 17 borrowed from the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning, and six borrowed from the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry. The BMA originally asked Froc for 60 pumps. Pol Gen Pracha Promnok (Photo REUTERS) All the water pumps were expected to be in place in 15 days, as some of those from China had not yet arrived, he said. The minister said the people could rest assured that both agencies were working as one to prevent more water coming into the capital and were draining existing water out of the capital city. Froc spokesman Thongthong Chandrangsu said the water pumps from China were expected t...