Thailand Floods Kill 25, Over 400,000 Affected

Since late November, relentless rains have triggered widespread flooding across 12 southern provinces, disrupting lives, damaging infrastructure, and hampering rescue efforts. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported that over 410,000 people have been affected, with many forced to evacuate their homes.

The hardest-hit areas include Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, and Songkhla provinces, where water levels remain dangerously high. The disaster agency has deployed emergency response teams and distributed essential supplies, including food, clean water, and medical aid, to affected residents.

Local authorities reported significant damage to farmland, roads, and homes, with dozens of villages submerged. Efforts to drain the floodwaters have been hampered by continuous rainfall, with meteorologists warning that the deluge may persist until the end of the week.

The Royal Thai Army has been mobilized to assist in relief efforts, using boats and helicopters to deliver aid to stranded residents in remote and inaccessible areas. Health officials have also expressed concern about potential outbreaks of waterborne diseases as sanitation systems are overwhelmed.

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has urged authorities to prioritize evacuations in high-risk zones and expedite relief efforts. He also called on citizens to stay alert and cooperate with emergency services during this period of crisis.

Experts attribute the devastating floods to the annual monsoon season, which has intensified in recent years due to climate change. Southern Thailand’s low-lying areas are particularly vulnerable to prolonged rainfall, causing rivers to overflow and flood vast stretches of land.

Neighboring countries have offered assistance, with Malaysia and Singapore pledging to send relief supplies. International aid organizations have also stepped in to support rescue and recovery operations.

As Thailand grapples with the immediate aftermath, the focus remains on saving lives, providing relief, and mitigating the long-term impacts of this natural disaster.