Thai Flood Death Toll Hits 780

Published December 30, 2011 6:18AM (EST)

BANGKOK (AP) — Thai authorities say the death toll from floods that devastated vast parts of north and central Thailand has reached 780 confirmed dead with three people still missing.

The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation department said on its Web site Friday that more than 2 million people are still effected by floods in five provinces north and west of Bangkok. The capital itself is dry.

Thailand's worst floods in half a century also destroyed millions of tons of crops and badly damaged industrial production.

The World Bank has estimated the damage at $45 billion and recovery and reconstruction needs at $25 billion. The National Social and Economic Development Board has slashed Thailand's economic growth forecast to 1.5 percent from 3.5 to 4 percent.


By Salon Staff

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