BANGKOK: Heavy rains have caused severe flooding across southern Thailand, killing at least 13 people and leaving residents stranded in homes and hotels, officials said on Tuesday. The disaster has inundated key areas, including the major tourist town of Hat Yai, where floodwaters reached waist-deep levels.
The government declared a state of emergency in Songkhla province on Tuesday as meteorologists warned of more rain and the possibility of flash floods throughout the week. Torrential rainfall since late last week has swamped the southern region, affecting four provinces in total, according to Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.
In Hat Yai, local television footage showed rescuers using boats, jet skis, and military trucks to evacuate residents from high waters. In some cases, families improvised by placing children in inflatable swimming pools to carry them to safety.
One woman stranded in the city for four days told local TV station TNN, “I decided to leave because I have an infant and I am afraid more water will come.” She was seen navigating the flooded streets in a rain poncho while holding her baby under an umbrella.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging residents to remain vigilant as forecasts predict further rainfall and potentially worsening conditions. Emergency teams have been deployed across the region to assist with evacuations and provide relief to affected communities.
The flooding has disrupted daily life, blocked roads, and caused power outages in several towns, while local hospitals and shelters have been working to accommodate those displaced by the disaster.
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