Thailand rushes to save lives as deadly southern floods worsen

Post by : Saif

Thailand is facing one of its worst flood disasters in years, as heavy rain continues to hit the southern part of the country. At least 33 people have died, and more than 2.7 million people have been affected across nine provinces. With more storms expected, the situation remains dangerous and uncertain.

The city of Hat Yai in Songkhla province has become the centre of the crisis. Floodwater has surrounded the main government hospital, trapping around 2,000 people inside. This includes 600 patients, with nearly 50 in the intensive care unit (ICU). The hospital’s first floor is fully flooded, making normal operations impossible.

A senior public health official, Somrerk Chungsaman, said helicopters will begin lifting out all ICU patients. Food and medical supplies will also be sent by air. Boats may reach the building later as the water slowly goes down.

The Thai military has deployed about 20 helicopters and 200 boats to the area. However, rescue teams are struggling because the water level is high, and many roads are blocked. Soldiers, medics and volunteers are working day and night to reach people who are stuck in their homes.

Last week, Hat Yai received 335 mm of rain in a single day, the highest rainfall the city has seen in 300 years. Floods also damaged power lines, forcing the military to fly in generators to keep the hospital running.

Across Thailand, the floods have damaged nearly one million homes. Many families have lost electricity, clean water and food supplies. The Thai weather department has warned that more heavy rain and thunderstorms may hit the south, making rescue work even harder.

The crisis does not stop at Thailand’s borders. In neighbouring Malaysia, one person has died and eight states are suffering severe flooding for the second year in a row. In Indonesia, floods and landslides have killed between eight and thirteen people, further adding to the region’s hardships.

To increase rescue power, Thailand has even sent out its only aircraft carrier, the Chakri Naruebet. The vessel will help deliver food, medical supplies and teams to areas that are completely cut off from the mainland.

Photos shared by the army show families—elderly people, children and infants—being carried out of homes surrounded by muddy water. Many people who are still trapped have been posting messages online, begging for help. One woman wrote that she had not been able to contact her mother in Hat Yai for several days. The last message she received said that the mother had only “one bottle of water and two packs of instant noodles” left.

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