Floods caused by heavy rains have killed 25 people in southern Thailand, according to a new report from the national disaster management agency, published on Tuesday. The province of Songkhla, with nine deaths, is the most affected, authorities reported.
In total, since November 22, floods have affected more than 660,000 homes in ten regions stretching from Chumphon to the Malaysian border, along the Gulf of Thailand. A previous report, released on Sunday, reported 12 deaths. Thai authorities are forecasting severe weather until Thursday.
The government is coordinating relief operations on the ground, and has promised to provide 50 million baht (EUR 1.4 million) in aid for each affected province. Floods have also affected neighboring Malaysia, where authorities reported the deaths of five people on Tuesday. More than 94,000 people are waiting to return home, after fleeing from rising waters, according to an official report.
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.
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