Southern Thailand is facing a devastating flood crisis, with Songkhla province at the center of the action. Authorities issued an evacuation order for all 16 districts in the province, after relentless monsoon rains flooded homes, farmland and central urban areas.
The floods, which have continued since November 19, have affected more than 635,000 residents in 115 sub-districts, 821 villages and 167 communities. The city of Hat Yai, an important economic center in Songkhla province, was hit hardest, with more than 243,000 residents affected and the water level reaching critical levels. In some low-lying areas of the city, the water is expected to reach a height of more than three meters.
Emergency and rescue efforts are underway
Governor Ratasart Chidcho declared the entire district a disaster area and summoned the District Disaster, Flood and Landslide Command Center to coordinate emergency operations. Army units, local authorities and aid agencies are on the ground with high-terrain vehicles, flat boats and inflatable boats to evacuate residents, especially vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and the sick. Since Friday, hundreds of residents and tourists have been trapped in homes and hotels due to flooding that forced emergency crews to use lifeboats to transport people through flooded streets.
Three evacuation centers were set up at Prince of Songkhla University, Songkhla Rajabat University and Second Naval Headquarters. So far, more than 1,200 residents have been evacuated, and at the same time, the Red Cross and the local authorities prepare more than 20,000 food boxes every day for distribution among the affected communities.
Authorities also launched large-scale water drainage operations, installing more than 80 water pumps in 68 key locations, while maintaining 24-hour surveillance of rivers and canals. Flooded roads and damage to bypass roads make rescue and evacuation operations difficult, especially in Ra-Ngae, Ro-Su and Wai-Ngo districts.
Wide regional influence
According to satellite data from the Geo-Informatics and Space Technologies Development Agency (GISTDA), at least six provinces in southern Thailand: Songkhla, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Trang, Sutton and Surat Thani, were flooded with water depth mostly above one meter. Agricultural areas, including rice fields, fruit orchards and fish ponds, suffered extensive damage.
The southern provinces of Thailand are not alone in dealing with the monsoon floods. Vietnam also experienced severe floods and landslides, with 91 deaths and damage to more than half a million homes. In Malaysia, over 12,500 people were evacuated in nine districts due to the continued rains.
So far in Thailand, five deaths and four injuries have been reported in six southern provinces. Homes, schools, temples and shops were damaged, and thousands of families remained cut off due to the rising waters. In the city of Hat Yai alone, 335 mm of rain was measured within 24 hours, the highest amount in the last 300 years.
Foreign governments are advising their citizens to postpone travel to southern Thailand due to the floods. Local authorities appealed to residents in high-risk areas to monitor water levels through official websites and apps, and to follow evacuation instructions to ensure their safety.
The Southern Meteorological Center expects continued heavy rain until November 25, with a continuing risk of flash floods and landslides. The authorities warn that although the rains are expected to weaken slightly towards the end of the month, the water levels in the rivers and canals remain high and require constant monitoring.