PHATTHALUNG, 3 January 2012 (NNT) – Heavy rain in Phatthalung Municipality has caused all roads in the area to be submerged under 60-70 cm. of water, while also flooding households.

After more than 4 hours of heavy rain, plus the recent water level in the area, Phatthalung was hit with a flash flood even though there had been no rain the previous day. Residents rushed to relocate their personal belongings in chaos. Items not moved in time were damaged by the flood. Volunteers from the Phatthalung Rescue Foundation spread out in the area to give residents directions and help with the relocation of their belongings in the middle of the night.

Many cars parked in front of Phatthalung Hospital were also inundated. Sand bags were brought in to prevent water from flowing into the hospital building.

Due to the flood, only one lane of Asia Road between Phatthalung-Nakhon Si Thammarat is open to traffic, while the stretch of Petchkasem Road between Phatthalung-Trang is partly inundated. Drivers of small cars have been advised to drive carefully given the water level is around 40-50 cm deep.

Reporter: Narumon Ngamsaithong – NNT