Floods ravage areas of Thailand

BANGKOK, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- More than 300 people in the eastern Thai province of Chachoengsao have become ill from flood-related diseases, officials said.

The Thai News Agency reported Friday that heavy and continuing rains caused recurring floods in three districts -- Phanom Sarakham, Ban Pho and Plaeng Yao.

Public health authorities have sent 20,000 pairs of boots and mosquito nets to help prevent the outbreak of leptospirosis and other endemic diseases that could be transmitted through the contaminated water.

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department director-general Anucha Mokhaves said that over two weeks of floods caused extensive damage and has left 20 people dead.