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Floods overtake relief, aid efforts

Rising waters cause chaos as Bangkok prepares to become submerged
Floods overtake relief, aid efforts
Published: October 25, 2011 10:23 AM GMT
Updated: October 25, 2011 10:37 AM GMT

Church and aid organisations helping others fill sandbags and prepare emergency relief packages for residents displaced by flooding in Thailand have seen vital barriers protecting Bangkok start to collapse as water advances on the capital. The national government today ordered a five-day “holiday” starting October 27; the passenger terminal of Don Muang, Bangkok's domestic airport, is reported to be under water and a major housing estate nearby, just to the south of the flood barrier, has been evacuated. Schools have been ordered to close until November 7 and many banks, convenience stores and supermarkets are shut. Tesco Lotus, one of Thailand's biggest retailers, issued a statement in which it said it is “facing significant distribution challenges.” Stocks of rice and bottled water have almost disappeared. Japanese investors with manufacturing operations in the affected area are reported to be furious at the government's failure to tackle the floods, which have closed down major industrial estates to the north of the capital. A humanitarian crisis is building, with at least two centres north of Bangkok set aside for evacuees now overrun by the floods. The water contains unknown numbers of crocodiles, snakes and other dangerous creatures and authorities further fear contamination of drinking supplies. “Bangkok residents are living in fear as the authorities have been unsuccessful in trying to divert northern runoff to the east and west of the capital,” the Bangkok Post reported. The peak danger time for the capital is expected to be the next two days, during which there is also the annual high tide at sea that will affect the swollen River Chao Praya, already at record height.

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