BANGKOK — Highway access between the north and south of Thailand was reopened to service Wednesday after being cut off by heavy flooding, leaving thousands of people stranded, some for two days.
Southbound traffic was congested for at least 20 kilometers this morning along Phet Kasem Road as motorists sought to cross two bridges rebuilt after they were destroyed Tuesday by flash floods in the worst flooding crisis to hit the region in over a decade.
At least 31 people had been killed as of Wednesday morning, and thousands displaced in 12 southern provinces.
Heavy rains and flash floods were forecast to continue in the area.
The State Railway said track repairs were underway in Prachuap Khiri Khan province to restore rail service. The line is expected to reopen Thursday.
Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport will remain closed through Friday while inspections are conducted.
Water levels fell from a height of two meters to one meter at Prachuap’s Bang Saphan Hospital, where patients were evacuated Monday night due to flooding.
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said Wednesday morning the government was still calculating the cost of the damage.
Traffic congestion along Phet Kasem Road in Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Bang Saphan district in a Facebook Live video.
ภาพมุมสูง เช้านี้ แม้ วางสะพานเบลีย์ จุดสะพานขาดเสร็จแล้ว แต่รถยังเคลื่อนตัวช้า ถ.เพชรเกษม บางสะพาน รถติดสะสม pic.twitter.com/jV0Ef7pCRD
— ศูนย์พญาอินทรี (@phayainsea2013) January 11, 2017
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