Thailand flooding hits Western Digital operations

(AP) -- Computer hard drive maker Western Digital Corp. said Monday that flooding damage to its Thailand locations will have a significant impact on its operations and its ability to meet customer demand in the December quarter.

The Irvine, Calif., company said it has extended its suspension of operations in Thailand, as rising water flooded its manufacturing site in the Bang Pa-in Industrial Park and submerged some equipment. It also said flooding is threatening operations in the Navanakorn Industrial Park. Both facilities are about 27 miles north of Bangkok.

Western Digital makes hard drives, network drives and other storage products. It said company locations in Malaysia, Singapore and the United States are fully operational.

Thai officials have said hundreds of people have died and more than 260,000 have lost jobs as 6,533 businesses nationwide had to close due flooding last week. Several major industrial parks have been inundated, which has disrupted supply chains, especially in the automotive and electronic industries.

Western Digital shares fell $1.60, or 6 percent, to $26.74 in midday trading Monday.

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