BANGKOK, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday instructed related state agencies to provide immediate assistance to flood victims in Thailand's deep southern province of Narathiwat.

Thai government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat told the media that Prayut has acknowledged the flooding situation in 13 districts of Narathiwat where 41,369 people have been affected.

Narumon however said that the flood is beginning to recede and should the rain subside, the situation will return to normal within 7 to 10 days.

"The main rivers of Kolok, Sai Buri and Bang Nara have overflowed banks to the low-lying areas," said Thongplew Kongjun, director-general of the Thai Irrigation Department, "Sungai Kolok is the hardest hit district, with water level as high as 2 meters."

Thongplew said he had already instructed pumps installed to drain flood water into the Gulf of Thailand.

Schools and police stations located on higher grounds are temporarily providing shelters to flood victims.

State officials and charity groups meanwhile are still moving flood victims to safe grounds and providing them with food, drinking water and other necessities.