BANGKOK, April 4 (UPI) -- Floods and mudslides in southern Thailand have killed 51 people and as many as 30,000 others are suffering from flood-related illnesses, officials said.
Heavy rain is responsible for the flooding and landslides and officials said the mental health of hundreds of people who lost loved ones or property is also a concern, the Bangkok Post reported Monday.
Seven hospitals in Surat Thani were closed and 104 primary care units and hospitals governed by the Public Health Ministry in 10 southern provinces have been affected by the flooding and mudslides.
About 10,000 soldiers from Thailand's four army regions were deployed to provide flood relief operations.
The Thai government will give each of the 580,000 flood-affected households payments of $165 to mitigate flood damages.
Most of those suffering flood-related illnesses had respiratory problems or foot fungus and 290 other patients were receiving psychiatric counseling, Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanavisit said.
