Heavy rains in southern Thailand have triggered severe flooding, killing twelve people and displacing over 13,000 residents, officials reported on Saturday. Rescue teams using boats and jet skis are working to reach those stranded in flooded areas.
Footage shared by local media shows residents navigating chest-deep, murky water and cars almost fully submerged.
The country’s disaster agency announced on Facebook that flooding has impacted 553,921 households across eight provinces, prompting a large-scale mobilization of relief efforts. Temporary shelters have been set up in schools and temples for the displaced.
In Pattani province, two hospitals halted operations to prevent flood damage to medical facilities.
Across the border in northern Malaysia, the heavy rains have also forced at least 80,000 people to evacuate, with disaster officials reporting four deaths this week.
The Thai Meteorological Department has warned that "very heavy rain" may continue to affect parts of the south into next week. The government has allocated 50 million baht ($1.7 million) in flood relief for each affected province and deployed rescue teams to assist.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra assured on social media that efforts are underway to “restore normalcy as quickly as possible.”
Although monsoon rains are a yearly occurrence, scientists warn that climate change is intensifying weather patterns, increasing the likelihood of destructive floods. In 2011, widespread flooding across Thailand resulted in over 500 deaths and millions of damaged homes.
