Southern Thailand is experiencing severe flooding following record rainfall that reached 335mm in Hat Yai, the highest in 300 years. The overwhelming deluge has so far claimed at least 33 lives and affected more than 2 million residents. Emergency measures are being taken, including the deployment of military ships and helicopters, to assist in the ongoing rescue and relief operations.
Overflowing rivers and submerged homes have become a distressing sight, as numerous residents await rescue on rooftops surrounded by rising waters. The Thai military has mobilized an aircraft carrier along with a flotilla of 14 boats, providing essential supplies and establishing floating hospitals to meet immediate medical needs.
The catastrophic weather has extended beyond Thailand, with Vietnam reporting a death toll of 98 within the week due to flooding, and Malaysia evacuating over 19,000 people from affected regions. Indonesia, too, has suffered fatalities from landslides, emphasizing the widespread impact of this climatic event.
In response to the rising humanitarian crisis, the government declared Songkhla province a disaster zone, enabling faster access to relief funds and supplies. However, as many remain trapped and without aid, volunteer rescue efforts have surged, seeing thousands of requests for evacuation flood in.
As the region anticipates further rainfall, the situation remains dire, prompting urgent calls for assistance from communities both online and offline.
