Severe Flooding Grips Southern Thailand

Image Credit: Al-Jazeera

Tens of thousands of people in southern Thailand are grappling with the aftermath of severe flooding, causing widespread disruptions in the region. The province of Narathiwat, near the Malaysian border, is particularly hard-hit, with numerous districts submerged and residents facing challenging conditions.

According to Bankok Post, persistent rain continues to cause flooding in five lower southern provinces, with Narathiwat suffering the most.

The others are Yala, Pattani, Songkhla and Satun, the Interior Ministry reported on Tuesday.

Spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul said continuous rain since Friday had caused flooding which affected 19,624 families in 24 districts of the five provinces.

Narathiwat was the hardest hit with 16,680 affected households in 11 inundated districts. Floods were reported in six districts of Yala, four in Pattani, two in Songkhla and one in Satun. The Bankok Post reported.

Impact on Residents

Residential Struggles: Scores of people in Narathiwat have sought assistance, and some find themselves stranded on the roofs of their flooded homes.

School Closures: The flooding has led to the closure of at least a dozen schools in Narathiwat and neighboring Yala, disrupting education for many students.

Transportation Woes: Roads and railways are submerged, affecting the daily commute of residents. Trains heading south to Malaysia are stopping 100km away from the border due to track subsidence.

Maritime Challenges

Boats Sunk: The torrential rain has not spared the seas, causing the sinking of at least seven boats in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea since Friday.

Response and Preparedness

Rescue Operations: Authorities are responding to distress calls, and residents sitting on the roofs of their homes are among those being assisted.

Evacuation Warnings: With the situation evolving, authorities are cautioning residents to be prepared for evacuation if the flooding intensifies.

Past Record

2022 Floods: The region faced serious floods in the previous year, resulting in the loss of at least three lives.

The current flooding adds to the challenges faced by southern Thailand, emphasizing the need for swift and effective response measures to mitigate the impact on residents and infrastructure.

(Courtesy: Bankok Post, Al-Jazeera)