27-12-2023 (BANGKOK) At least six people have died and tens of thousands of homes flooded after days of torrential monsoon rains pounded southern Thailand, authorities reported Wednesday.
The relentless downpours, which began December 22nd, swamped more than 70,000 households across five provinces – Satun, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. An 89-year-old woman and a young toddler were among the dead in Narathiwat province, where floodwaters reached over 10 feet in some areas, said Deputy Governor Preecha Nualnoi.
Harrowing footage showed residents forced to flee to rooftops as streets transformed into muddy rivers. One person remains missing as emergency crews worked through the night distributing supplies and assessing damage. By Wednesday morning, water levels had begun receding, officials stated.
Parts of Narathiwat, located along the Malaysian border, became isolated for days as sections of rail lines buckled under the deluge. Some train services finally resumed Wednesday as the region took stock of the devastation.
Monsoon rains routinely inundate Thailand from May to December, often causing widespread destruction. But climate scientists warn more extreme weather events are linked to man-made climate change and could overwhelm existing infrastructure.
In 2011, months of heavy monsoons triggered the country’s worst flooding in decades, killing hundreds and damaging millions of homes nationwide. As Thais increasingly contend with intensified rainfall, critics argue the government must urgently improve flood prevention and response.
????????#Thailand Massive flood hits Thailand.
Flooding spread across the south of the country. About 10 thousand houses were in the disaster zone, many roads were blocked, and railway traffic was stopped. pic.twitter.com/NajYD9DekO
— Swift Sparks (@Swift_Sparks01) December 27, 2023
