Thai flood death toll reaches 289, 2 missing

A total of 289 people were confirmed dead and two people were missing in the floods that have inundated the upper part of the country for almost three months, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department reported on Friday. Six more people were confirmed dead on Wednesday in central province of Singburi. Northern province of Phichit still has the highest death toll of 45 people, followed by central province Nakhon Sawan, of which 30 people have been killed by flood. Flash floods and mudslides were caused by the heavy monsoon since mid July. Floods are still pouring down in 61 of 77 provinces, affecting about 2.5 million households and 8.3 million people. Of 61 provinces hit by flood, the situation in 35 provinces, mostly in the northern and northeastern provinces, have slowly been recovering. As the situation in adjacent province of Bangkok has worsened, Bangkok people have been warned to prepare for flash flood and be ready to evacuate if the authorities decide to issue evacuation alert. About 60 main highways in 17 provinces are flooded and cannot be passed and 18 north-bound train routes were cancelled.