Thailand is facing severe flooding that has affected tens of thousands of residents. The provinces of Yala and Narathiwat are facing a crisis, with damage to homes, infrastructure, and disruptions to daily life. The situation in Narathiwat, the country’s southernmost province, is particularly in danger.
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All 13 districts remain submerged, leaving thousands of residents stranded and their homes for days. The flooding has affected 67 sub-districts across 16 districts, causing danger in the lives of the local population.
The main roads connecting several districts to the downtown area of Muang Narathiwat have been severed.
Authorities are facing challenges in conducting rescue operations and providing relief to the affected population.
Emergency services, including rescue workers and police, are working to assist people in moving their belongings to higher ground.
Boats have been deployed to aid residents in relocating their assets in the Yi-ngo district, while motorboats are being used to evacuate people from Ta-ngor village in Cho-airong district.
One incident that shows the severity of the crisis is the capsizing of a boat in the area of Tambon Rieng, Rueso District, Narathiwat Province. The boat, carrying evacuating villagers, encountered engine problems and overturned during a rescue operation.
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Four individuals are missing in the aftermath of this incident. At least seven boats have sunk in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea since December 22.
The state railway company reported track subsidence, leading to the suspension of train services heading south to the Malaysian border.
Trains are now stopping at Yala, 100 km away. Schools in Narathiwat and neighboring Yala have been forced to close, affecting the education of students in the region.
Authorities have issued warnings to residents in the affected provinces, urging them to be prepared for possible evacuations if the flooding worsens.
The nature of the weather and the heavy rainfall make it crucial for residents to stay vigilant and follow safety guidelines.
With memories of serious floods in the region in December of the previous year, where at least three lives were lost.
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The Thai Meteorological Department had predicted the impact of the northeast monsoon on the Gulf of Thailand and the southern region, bringing strong winds.
The low-pressure system that strengthened along the Malaysian coast on December 24-25 moved through the southern region of Thailand, making landfall in the Andaman Sea.
The department has advised people in the affected areas to take precautions against sudden flash floods and landslides, especially in mountainous areas near waterways and low-lying areas.
The Gulf of Thailand is forecasted to experience waves with a height of 2 to 4 meters. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has reported damage to homes in the flooded provinces.
A 9,697 homes have been affected, marking this as the worst flooding the region has witnessed in 40 years. In Yala, flooding has impacted 9 districts, with nearly 6,000 homes damaged. Similarly, in Narathiwat, 9 districts have been affected, and almost 4,000 homes have suffered damage.
The Narathiwat Provincial Public Relations Office has issued warnings about diseases such as leptospirosis, athlete’s foot, conjunctivitis, and gastrointestinal illnesses that has a threat in the aftermath of the floods.
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