The death toll from the severe flooding in southern Thailand has tragically surpassed 80 individuals, according to officials on Thursday. As the floodwaters began to recede, the extent of the impact became clearer, with around 1 million households and over 3 million people affected across 12 provinces due to torrential rains. This severe weather situation has led to widespread devastation and chaos.
The flooding, which initiated over the weekend, has submerged vast regions and caused fatalities in several provinces, including Nakhon Si Thammarat, Patthalung, Songkhla, Trang, Satun, Pattani, and Yala. By Thursday morning, while many areas witnessed a reduction in water levels, Pattani and Nakhon Si Thammarat continued to face high water conditions.
Government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat reported in a press conference that the number of flood-related deaths in Songkhla province surged dramatically from six to 55 in a single day, raising the total death toll across the seven affected provinces to at least 82. Officials are hopeful that water levels will fall below riverbanks by the evening, providing some relief to the affected communities.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul declared a state of emergency earlier this week in the province of Songkhla, home to Hat Yai, the largest city in southern Thailand, citing the "unprecedented severity" of the flooding situation. Video reports indicated that water levels in Hat Yai began to drop on Thursday, unveiling significant damage throughout the city.
The flooding has led to severe disruptions, with thousands of residents trapped and access to electricity, water supplies, and communication networks significantly hampered. In response to the crisis, eight field hospitals have been established to support Hat Yai Hospital, which has struggled to operate at full capacity due to the ongoing disaster. The Public Health Ministry confirmed that 20 critical patients were airlifted out on Thursday, while additional food supplies were dispatched to medical personnel and remaining patients in the hospital.
As the situation continues to evolve, authorities remain focused on relief efforts and restoring essential services to affected communities. The government is actively working to provide necessary support and ensure the well-being of those impacted by this devastating flooding event.
