Bangkok, Sept 07: Floods in northern Thailand have left 44 people dead or missing, damaged at least 100,000 houses, destroyed roads and forced schools and hospitals to close, the government said today.
The latest victim was a man who died today of a heart attack as he watched floodwaters crashing toward him in Phetchabun province, 300 kilometers north of Bangkok, local radio station Ruam Duay Chuay Kan 96 fm reported.
Seasonal monsoon rains have caused flash floods in most of the north and landslides in at least four provinces in the region, the public health ministry's Narenthaon rescue center said in a statement. At least 24 people have died since the beginning of August and another 20 are missing, it said.
The latest province to be hit is Pichit, about 290 kilometers north of Bangkok, where rising floodwaters have forced the closure of schools and hospitals in recent days, the rescue center said.
Municipal water works in Pichit and Phetchabun may be shut down to avoid the contamination of drinking water by floodwaters carrying debris, it said.

Bureau Report