Death Toll From Thailand Floods Rises, Crosses 500

The death toll from Thailand's worst floods in half a century climbed past 500 Sunday. Most victims have drowned, while a handful died from flood-related electrocutions.

Relentless rainfall has pummeled vast swaths of Thailand since late July, swamping the country. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra says a proposal will be put before the Cabinet Tuesday to allocate 100 billion baht ($3.3 billion) for post-flood reconstruction. She said the money would be used to rebuild homes and businesses and restore the economy, which has been badly affected.

The authorities have come under criticism for what is perceived as a slow response to the flooding, and for giving conflicting advice about evacuations. There are growing concerns about the health problems of large amounts of polluted water.

So far no deaths have been reported in Bangkok. At least 20 percent of the capital is currently submerged in floodwater contaminated by rubbish, dead animals and industrial waste, raising fears about outbreaks of disease in the densely populated metropolis of 12 million people. The highest toll is reported in the nearby province of Ayutthaya, which has been submerged for more than one month, with 90 reported dead.