Southernโค Thailand Reels from Historic Flooding, Leaving Dozens Dead and Thousands displaced
Bangkok – Unprecedented rainfall, โdescribedโข as the heaviestโ in 300 years, has โฃtriggeredโ severe flooding across southern โThailand, resulting โin at least 33 fatalities and widespread devastation. The โroyalโข Irrigation Department confirmed the extreme weatherโ event, with Hat Yai City in Songkhla province bearingโข the brunt of the disaster.
The โhistoric deluge, which saw 335โ millimeters ofโฃ rain fall โคin a single day – an event statistically expected to occurโ onlyโค once every three centuriesโข – has submerged โคhomes and infrastructure,โ disrupting transportation and trade.โ The floodingโ extends beyond Thailand’s borders, impacting northern malaysia and โขdisplacing 27,000 people. This disaster underscores the increasing vulnerability of southeast Asia to extreme weather events,perhaps exacerbated by climate change,andโ highlights the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and โขinfrastructure resilience in the โคregion.โ
Floodwaters in Hat Yai reached โฃheights of 2.5โค meters, โinundating streets and homes. Images from the area depict widespread submersion and emergency crews utilizing boats to rescueโ residents and deliver essentialโ aid. โThe Thai โขmilitary has mobilizedโ significant resources,โ deploying approximately 200 boats, 20 helicopters, โand an aircraft carrier toโค support reliefโค and rescue โoperations.
according to Thai government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat, the deaths across seven provinces were attributed to โขdrowning, being sweptโ away by currents,โฃ electric shock, andโฃ landslides. Neighboring Malaysia‘sโ Kelantan state has also been severely affected, reportingโ one fatality alongside theโ mass displacement.
Authorities continue to assess โฃthe full extent of theโ damage and are working to provideโ assistance to those affected. The โคlong-term impactโค on the region’s economy and infrastructure remains to be seen.
(haf/imk)
