Thai flood death toll reaches 173

A total of 173 people were confirmed dead and two people were missing in the floods that have inundated upper part of the country for nearly two months, authority reported on Wednesday. One person is missing in northern province of Mae Hong Son and another is missing in northeastern province of Uttaradit. The floods, caused by heavy rainfall, still prevail in 21 provinces, mostly in the northern, northeastern and central part of the country, according to the latest report. 37 main highways in 10 provinces are flooded and cannot be passed and 4 north-bound train routes were canceled. Altogether more than 1.9 million people were affected by the floods, it said. The department estimates that about 2,300 quare meters of farmland have been hit by flood Moreover, Thai Meteorology Department on Wednesday issued a warning over heavy to very heavy rains across Thailand as the tropical depression Haitang would make a landfall in Thai northeastern region on Wednesday and Thursday. Haitang typhoon which has weakened into tropical depression when approaching Thailand was predicted to cause downpours in 28 provinces nationwide.