Over 80 killed as severe floods hit southern Thailand
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Bangkok: The death toll from severe flooding in southern Thailand has risen to more than 80 as water levels slowly began to recede on Thursday, officials said.
According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, about 1 million households and over 3 million people across 12 southern provinces have been affected by the floods, which were triggered by days of torrential rain.
The flooding, which began over the weekend, inundated vast areas and caused fatalities in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Patthalung, Songkhla, Trang, Satun, Pattani and Yala. While waters had receded in several provinces by Thursday morning, levels remained dangerously high in parts of Pattani and Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat told reporters in Bangkok that flood-related deaths in Songkhla surged from six to 55 on Thursday, pushing the overall toll across the seven provinces to at least 82. Officials expect water levels to recede below riverbanks in all affected areas by Thursday evening.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul declared a state of emergency in Songkhla — home to southern Thailand’s largest city, Hat Yai — citing the “unprecedented severity” of the floods.
Video footage from Hat Yai on Thursday showed water levels dropping, exposing widespread damage throughout the city.
The flooding caused major disruptions, leaving thousands of residents trapped, while electricity, water supply and communication lines were cut in many areas. To support overwhelmed facilities, authorities set up eight field hospitals to assist Hat Yai Hospital, which remains unable to operate at full capacity. The Public Health Ministry said 20 critical patients were airlifted on Thursday, and additional food supplies were delivered to medical staff and those still hospitalised.
Over 80 Killed as Severe Floods Hit Southern Thailand
With PTI inputs