Freak storms caused havoc in 11 provinces mostly in the Northeast Thursday, according to Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DPMD) chief Chayaphon Thitisak.

The department reported widespread damage in 21 districts and 31 tambons in the 12 provinces, nine of them in the Northeast.

They were: Udon Thani, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Bua Lamphu, Maha Sarakham, Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon, Kalasin, Roi Et and Surin as well as two Central Plains provinces -- Suphan Buri and Chai Nat.

The department was working with local administrative organisations to provide help to affected residents whose homes were damaged.

Local officials were also on the ground assessing damage and drawing up a list of those whose homes needed repairs. The authorities were also providing urgent help to families whose farms sustained damage from strong winds.

The department has also opened a 24-hour emergency hotline.

The storms damaged hundreds of homes overnight, and weathermen expect thunderstorms to continue in upper Thailand until early next week.

A storm virtually swept away the Ban Ka Phra school in Sanom district of Surin.

In Nakhon Phanom, more than 100 homes were damaged in Na Kae and That Phanom districts. Rain and hail pounded parts of the districts on Wednesday evening into Thursday morning. Damage was estimated at 2 million baht.

It was the second fierce storm to hit Nakhon Phanom this month. About 300 houses were earlier damaged in Phon Sawan.

In Nong Khai province, a storm damaged about 20 houses in Fao Rai and Phon Phisai districts.

Relief supplies were being distributed and homes repaired in Kalasin. About 50 houses in Muang district suffered varying degrees of damage, including roofs being blown off. Some houses collapsed after trees fell on them.

Muang district chief Charnchai Sornsrivichai led the inspection of the storm-damaged areas. He was accompanied by his assistant Phutthaphum Nachairerm.

The inspection began in tambon Lampao, the worst-hit area, where 153 houses were wrecked, about 40 were almost in a state of disrepair.

The local authorities were told to use Line chat to report damage in various locations for a speedy assessment of what help could be provided.

Source:
courtesy of BANGKOK POST

by Bangkokpost

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