BANGKOK — Devastating floods in southern Thailand have claimed nine lives and affected more than 550,000 residents, marking what officials are calling the worst natural disaster to hit some areas in two decades. The situation remains critical as heavy rainfall is forecast to continue through December 6.
According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation’s November 30 report, flooding has impacted eight provinces: Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Trang, Satun, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. The disaster has spread across 78 districts, affecting 515 sub-districts and 3,552 villages.
The death toll currently stands at nine, with casualties reported in Phatthalung (1), Songkhla (3), Pattani (3), Yala (1), and Narathiwat (1). Officials are still verifying these numbers.
Department Director-General Pasakorn Boonyalak reported that water levels continue to rise in several areas. The government has established 200 temporary shelters across four provinces – Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani, and Songkhla – currently housing over 13,000 evacuees.
In response to the crisis, His Majesty the King has provided personal funds to construct 12 evacuation centers across seven southern coastal provinces, each capable of accommodating 300 people.
The National Water Resources Office Secretary-General Dr. Surasee Kittimonton warned that high-pressure systems from China, combined with easterly winds, will bring continued rainfall to the region from December 2-6, particularly affecting the three southernmost provinces.
The government has faced criticism on social media for its initial response, which coincided with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s cabinet meeting in northern Chiang Mai. However, several high-ranking officials, including Deputy PM and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, have since visited the affected areas.
In response to the emergency, the government has significantly increased disaster relief funding from 20 to 70 million baht for each of the six most affected provinces: Songkhla, Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala, Surat Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat.
The flooding crisis extends beyond Thailand’s borders, with neighboring Malaysia also experiencing severe flooding, according to Associated Press reports.
Malaysia’s National Disaster Command Center online portal said Friday that 94,778 people, from more than 28,000 families, across nine states were evacuated to 527 temporary shelters. The northeastern state of Kelantan, bordering Thailand, was the worst affected, with 63,761 people evacuated from their homes, followed by neighboring Terengganu with 22, 511.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Friday that all Cabinet ministers were banned from going on vacation. He said they have been instructed to provide assistance in flood-prone areas.
“All ministers have been told to go to the ground. Yes, leave has been frozen for them,” Anwar was quoted as saying by national Bernama news agency.
His deputy, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who heads the disaster response, said Thursday that floods this year were expected to be worse than 2014, when more than 250,000 people were displaced and 21 killed. He was cited by local media as saying that weather forecast indicated that heavy rainfall next month would likely affect more states.
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