BANGKOK: The worst floods to hit parts of Thailand in decades have left 94 people dead, destroyed thousands of homes and caused misery for millions affected by the rising waters, officials said Friday. The floods have claimed 26 more lives, many from drowning, the Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand reported in its latest daily toll on the disaster, which began on Oct. 10. “Most of the victims died in their homes or were children playing near flood waters,” said Chatree Charoencheewakul, the head of the institute. “It's likely that the toll could rise further as the flooding is still severe,” he said. “After the floods end we have to teach Thai people to swim or at least be able to float.” The authorities estimate that 4.2 million people have been affected, with homes submerged and farmland or cattle destroyed, mostly in central and eastern areas. Thailand's main tourist areas have not been hit.Flood and landslide warnings have been issued for mountainous areas in southern Thailand. More than 1,100 schools have been inundated and their directors have been allowed to delay the start of the new term by one week, Education Minister Chinaworn Boonyakiat said. More than 229,398 people have sought medical treatment since Oct. 20, mostly for itchy skin, common colds and stress, the Health Ministry said.
