The Interior Ministry has ordered local authorities to offer urgent assistance to people affected by the violent seasonal thunderstorms that have lashed villages in 19 provinces this week.
Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda said on Thursday he had ordered the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation to rush assistance to storm-hit people in the 19 provinces. Officials had been asked to quickly survey the houses and public utilities that were damaged and assess what is needed.
Chatchai Promlert, director-general of the department, said a total of 132 villages in 28 districts were pounded by severe thunderstorms and hailstorms between April 6 and 8. The storms damaged 1,642 houses, claimed one life and injured one person.
Two of the affected provinces are in the North (Lampang and Uttaradit), 11 in the Northeast (Loei, Amnat Charoen, Yasothon, Maha Sarakham, Nakhon Ratchasima, Roi Et, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Nong Bua Lam Phu, and Nong Khai), one each in the Central Plains (Lop Buri) and the West (Tak) and four in the East (Sa Kaeo, Chon Buri, Rayong and Chanthaburi), said Mr Chatchai.
The department was coordinating with provincial disaster prevention and mitigation offices to accelerate efforts to help the victims. Essential supplies along with roof tiles and other items needed for repairs would be distributed to affected households.