ONGKHLA, 16 January 2017 (NNT) - Many provinces in the South of Thailand remain vigilant as there will be more downpours this week.

In Songkhla, the Second Naval Area Command deployed a group of soldiers to restore temples, houses, and schools in Ranot district as the flood began to subside. Authorities said it would take at least 10 days before the district becomes completely dry.

In Nakhon Si Thammarat, officials from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and a flood relief agency visited Pak Ror Bridge and Pak Rawa Sluice Gate to study the possibility of draining floodwaters into Songkhla Lake and the Gulf of Thailand through these locations.

Boats are expected to be brought to these locations to push the water in the next couple of days. In Prachuab Khiri khan, soldiers from the 15th Military Circle visited Bang Saphan Hospital to clean up the place after the flood had subsided. Seven mobile medical units have also been dispatched to treat people in remote communities.

According to the hospital director, Dr. Somchai Chayawattoh, the medical staff has only been able to treat 30 out-patients since most hospital equipment has been destroyed by the deluge. The hospital is now building a wall to prevent the damage of future flooding.

The Ministry of Interior has concluded that more than 1.6 million people in 12 southern provinces have so far been affected by the floods. Forty-one people were killed and more than 530,000 homes have been submerged. However, flood situations in Yala, Ranong, Narathiwat, Pattani, Krabi and Chumpon have continued to improve.