Floods kill six people as Tropical Storm Podul batters northern Thailand

2019-09-02 1

Tropical Storm Podul killed at least six people after causing flooding across northern Thailand at the weekend.

The torrential weather brought heavy wind and rain when it hit the north of the country on Friday (August 30) after passing through Vietnam.

Thousands of homes were submerged with flash floods swamping fields and entire villages. In some places, the flood water was three metres deep.

Rescue teams have been evacuating thousands of people from affected regions.

Department of Highways (DoH) director-general Anon Luangboriboon said dozens of highways had been flooded in 12 different provinces.

Government Spokesman Narumon Pinyosinwat said flooding in eight northern and northeastern provinces has eased with 16 other provinces remaining flooded.

Tropical Storm Podul was downgraded to depression when it made landfall in Thailand’s northeast but still caused severe damage. It was eventually turned to a low-pressure cell as it moved further inland.