ATS
Floods caused by heavy rains in southern Thailand have killed nine people and forced more than 13,000 people to evacuate, according to a new report announced on Saturday by the authorities. The government deployed rescue teams.
“Floods in eight southern provinces of Thailand have affected 553,921 households and left nine dead,” the national disaster management agency wrote on its Facebook page.
More than 13,000 people had to flee their homes and temporary reception centers were opened in schools and temples, she said. The day before, the authorities had reported two deaths in the province of Pattani and two others in that of Songkhla, after a first in the Narathiwat region on Thursday.
Images broadcast by local media show residents submerged up to their chests progressing with difficulty in muddy waters and submerged cars. Two hospitals in the province of Pattani have suspended their activity in order to preserve infrastructure and equipment, the Thai government said in a press release published on its website.
80,000 people in shelters
The latter announced dispatching relief teams to the affected areas and aid of 1.7 million dollars for each affected province. The national weather agency warned that “very heavy rain” could continue to shower parts of the South the following week.
In neighboring Malaysia, at least 80,000 people were taken into shelters, also due to flooding caused by the rains, with authorities deploring at least four deaths.
Monsoon episodes recur every year in Thailand. However, scientists say global warming is increasing their intensity and may make destructive floods more frequent. In 2011, more than 500 people were killed and millions of homes damaged by widespread flooding in the country.
ATS
Swiss
