Jakarta (ANTARA News) - ASEAN member states have expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the governments and peoples of Southeast Asian countries for the loss of lives and damage to social, economic as well as environmental assets due to floods.

Heavy and incessant rains which showered the Southeast Asian region in the past months had caused floods among others in Cambodia, Lao PDR, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam, causing the death of many people, a release from the ASEAN Secretariat said here on Thursday.

The ASEAN Secretariat hoped the bereaved families of the victims and those currently affected by the floods would be given strength and comfort in facing the disasters. The ASEAN member states believe that the governments and peoples of the affected countries will rise from this disaster with strong spirit and resilience to resume normal life and to rebuild their communities.

In this regard, they also expressed their readiness to lend the affected countries support and assistance in a timely manner and in appropriate ways in accordance with the spirit of ASEAN solidarity.

By further emphasizing the importance of strong cooperation and coordination, ASEAN member states believe that full implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) and the operation of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) will play a significant role in enhancing the regional capacity on disaster management.

In Thailand for example, floods reportedly affected a large proportion of that country from July until now, as heavy rains continually lashed the North and Central provinces.

At present, 30 provinces remained affected by floods, while the South of the country remains free of flooding.

An estimated 760,000 homes had been damaged, while 2.34 million individuals have had to deal with the flood`s devastating effects on livelihood.

Throughout that country, 214 roads remained temporarily closed due to excess flood waters covering the road, while 12 provinces throughout the Central Plains and Eastern Seaboard weather the threat of heavy rainfall and overflowing waterways.

Areas expecting heavy rain include: Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat.
(Uu. E002/HAJM/S012)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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