'Thai flood death toll reaches 26'

The death toll from heavy monsoon flooding across Thailand has risen to 26, the interior ministry said, with 1.6 million people affected by the bad weather.

The death toll from heavy monsoon flooding across Thailand has risen to 26, the interior ministry said on Sunday, with 1.6 million people affected by the bad weather.

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Flood waters brought by heavy rain have inundated 31 of Thailand's 76 provinces since September 11, wrecking homes and farmland and causing damage worth more than 16 million dollars.

"The situation at present has improved in 26 provinces. Only the situation in the other five provinces continues to need monitoring," the interior ministry said in a statement.

It said the floods had destroyed more than 2,700 houses, 3,404 roads, 15 schools, 28 temples, and 1.38 million acres of farmland, with the repair bill put at 16.38 million dollars.

Flood waters are dissipating in many places but officials have warned people in low-lying areas to be on the lookout for flash floods and mudslides.