Storms wreck 1,100 houses

Storms have caused havoc in 13 provinces with over 1,100 houses affected, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said yesterday.

This includes 11 provinces in the Northeast and two in the Central Plains, department director-general Chayaphon Thitisak said, adding 1,163 houses in 205 villages were affected from Tuesday to yesterday.

The department is working with military and provincial officers to speed up a survey on the damage done and distribute daily provisions and construction materials to local people, Mr Chayaphon said.

The affected northeastern provinces were: Kalasin, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon, Surin, Nong Bua Lamphu, Roi Et, Maha Sarakham, Buri Ram, Nakhon Phanom and Yasothon. Suphan Buri and Chai Nat were the Central provinces that were hit.

According to Mr Chayaphon, officers from the DPMD were deployed along with military units, local administrative organisations and other agencies to assist villagers. They were handing out supplies, roof tiles and home-repair tools.

Soldiers were also dispatched to inspect and document the damage to help the Finance Ministry arrange its budget, he said. Affected residents can call 1784, a 24-hour hotline, for more information.

In Nakhon Phanom, at least 80 houses were damaged. Owners are entitled to 30,000 baht each in assistance. Over 100 soldiers were helping to repair them which was expected to take a week.

Military engineers were also pitching in to help in Na Kae district, said a major general overseeing the efforts.