"The morgue is overloaded; we need more space to use," Charn, a morgue employee at Songkhla Hospital in Songkhla province, southern Thailand, said today.

According to Charn, officials had to deploy three refrigerated trucks as the death toll from severe floods devastating nine southern provinces over the past week rose to 55.

Thailand has intensified relief efforts after its military deployed an aircraft carrier, 20 helicopters, and truck convoys to transport food, medicine, and rubber boats. Authorities also urged residents to use boats and jet skis to reach those isolated for days by water levels up to 2 meters.

Floodwaters receded on 27/11 in Hat Yai city, the most severely affected area. Thai government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat said, "Relief efforts continue; the flood situation will be a long battle."

A convenience store in Hat Yai city was flooded on 26/11. *Photo: AFP*

Thai engineers, along with specialized vehicles and 2,000 civil defense members, arrived in Hat Yai on 27/11. In Thailand's fifth-largest city, helicopters are transporting food to hospitals, and many residents remain trapped on rooftops.

Nearly 3 million people have been affected by the floods in southern Thailand. Thousands are crowded into evacuation centers. In neighboring Malaysia, floods raging across seven states have killed two people and displaced over 34,000.

By Huyen Le (AFP, Reuters)