The Public Health Ministry will today seek Bt205 million to deal with the aftermath of the flooding in the North.

Public Health Minister Pinij Charusombat yesterday said the mental and environmental rehabilitation for flood victims would cost about Bt84 million and Bt83 million was necessary for mobile medical units and medical supplies.

"As the floods have damaged 37 public health stations, we also need Bt38 million for repairs,"

he said, adding he would ask for the cash at today's Cabinet meeting.

According to Pinij, more than 40,000 flood victims in the North have sought treatment during the past week. About 60 per cent of them are suffering from athlete's foot, colds and muscular aches.

There were also 2,177 victims in hospitals in Uttaradit, Sukhothai and Phrae with serious wounds or broken bones.

The flash-floods affected more than 100,000 residents, with the death toll rising to 66 on Sunday night.

Pinij yesterday said officials were busy restoring hygiene standards to the flood-hit areas. "We are disinfecting hundreds of wells," he said.

Caretaker Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang said the flooding had devastated 180 schools, causing more than Bt243 million in damage.

He said he would report to the Cabinet today and seek funds to deal with the situation next week.

Meanwhile the Yom River continue overflow, flooding many areas of Sukhothai's Kong Krailat district and affecting more than 200 families and damaging over 30,000 rai of farmland.

Floods reached Tak yesterday, submerging Sam Ngao and Muang Tak districts but the authorities said the situation should return to normal within four days.