(Bangkok) 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 Saturday by the authorities.
Posted at 10:54 a.m.
They deployed boats and jet skis to reach isolated residents. Images broadcast by local media show residents, submerged up to their chests, progressing with difficulty in muddy waters and submerged cars.
“Floods in eight provinces in southern Thailand have affected 553,921 households and caused nine deaths,” the national disaster 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.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE POH TECK TUNG FOUNDATION, REUTERS
Rescue workers evacuate a child stranded by floods in Sateng Nok, Yala province, Thailand, November 30, 2024.
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.
The latter announced aid of $1.7 million for each affected province.
The national weather agency has warned that “very heavy rain” could continue to shower parts of the South next week.
In neighboring Malaysia, more than 122,000 people were forced to leave their homes, also due to flooding caused by heavy rains, authorities said on Saturday, with the death toll remaining unchanged at four.
PHOTO MOHD RASFAN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
A street was flooded due to heavy rain in Pasir Puteh, Malaysia’s Kelantan state on November 30, 2024.
“Of course I’m scared…” said Muhammad Zulkarnain, 27, who lives with his parents in Pasir Putehet, where they find themselves isolated: “Vehicles have no way of entering or exiting my neighborhood “.
“Fortunately, we received help from NGOs, who gave us food like biscuits, instant noodles and eggs,” he added.
Monsoon episodes recur every year in these Southeast Asian countries. 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 Thailand.
