(Thailand, 1st) After a major flood disaster in southern Thailand, garbage disposal work in Hat Yai, Songkhla Province is expected to be completed by December 10; as of the 30th, the death toll from the southern flood has risen to 170, with Songkhla Province accounting for 131.
According to the Bangkok Post, authorities said on November 30 that about 11,000 tons of garbage had accumulated in Hat Yai, and 1,750 tons had been cleared in the past two days.
Disaster victims in Hat Yai are moving damaged belongings out of their homes to facilitate the cleaning of silt and residual floodwater. Tap water and electricity have not yet been restored. The uncollected animal carcasses are emitting a foul odor.
The Pollution Control Department has deployed about 60 garbage trucks and 7 teams, totaling 80 to 100 garbage disposal personnel in Hat Yai. The garbage disposal work is expected to be completed before December 10.
According to the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, 9 provinces in southern Thailand and 11 provinces in the central-northern plains are still experiencing flooding, but water levels are continuously receding.
The Ministry of Public Health is distributing protective equipment, cleaning chemicals, and hygiene guidelines to affected residents, urging the public to maintain good ventilation and use disinfectants to prevent mildew.