Ratthasart Chidchoo, the governor of Songkhla province, today declared a state of disaster across all 16 districts. This declaration comes as continuous heavy rainfall has caused widespread flooding, submerging many residential areas and threatening civilian lives.
The disaster declaration allows Songkhla provincial officials to quickly mobilize forces and resources for relief efforts. It also expedites the immediate evacuation of vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and the sick.
Na Thawi district is the most severely affected, with the situation described as critical. Floodwaters have inundated all 10 communes and 92 villages, directly impacting over 50,000 people across approximately 15,000 households. All roads within the district are isolated by floodwaters, making ground travel impossible for residents.
Officials can currently only use boats to access residents in affected areas. As of 24/11, rainfall had decreased, but persistent rain has led officials to warn of recurring floods.
Homes and roads flooded in Na Thawi district, Songkhla province on 23/11. Photo: Nation Thailand |
Homes and roads flooded in Na Thawi district, Songkhla province on 23/11. Photo: Nation Thailand
Warintorn Thongkhao, head of Na Thawi district, stated that evacuation centers have been established in all communes. However, the evacuation process remains slow due to the challenging terrain.
"Na Thawi is severely lacking essential relief equipment, especially flat-bottom boats needed to reach deeply flooded areas and evacuate many residents," he said. "We also urgently need ready-to-eat meals, drinking water, and basic necessities to distribute to isolated residents."
He emphasized that all agencies have deployed personnel, but the current force is insufficient to cope with the emergency's scale. The official called for increased support to ensure comprehensive, rapid aid during this urgent phase.
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Heavy rain caused flooding at a hospital in Songkhla province, Thailand on 24/11. Photo: X/Thai Enquirer |
Heavy rain caused flooding at a hospital in Songkhla province, Thailand on 24/11. Photo: X/Thai Enquirer
In Malaysia, the national disaster response agency reported on 24/11 that over 11,000 people in 7 states have been affected by floods. Kelantan state in the northeast, bordering Thailand, was the worst hit, with 8,228 people affected and no fatalities recorded.
On 23/11, approximately 400 people were stranded by a landslide caused by continuous heavy rain in Wang Kelian village, Perlis state. Residents were later safely evacuated and took refuge in a mosque on higher ground.
Floodwaters surge through a street in Kaki Bukit town, Perlis state, Malaysia on 23/11. Video: X/Weather Monitor
Over 60 evacuation centers have been established in the affected states.
Flooding frequently occurs in Malaysia's eastern coastal region and southern Thailand during the monsoon season, from October to March, displacing many people each year.
Huyen Le (According to Nation Thailand, Reuters)
