Officials say the “unprecedented” floods which have swept several southern provinces in Thailand claimed the lives of at least 82 people. Initial assessments indicate widespread damage in the affected areas as floodwaters begin to recede.
The death toll from severe flooding in southern Thailand climbed to more than 80 people as floodwaters began to recede on Thursday, officials said.
About 1 million households and more than 3 million people have been impacted by floods triggered by torrential rains in 12 southern provinces in Thailand, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.
The flooding that began during the weekend submerged vast areas and caused deaths in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Patthalung, Songkhla, Trang, Satun, Pattani and Yala provinces.
Floodwaters had subsided in many of the provinces by Thursday morning, but water levels remained high in some areas including Pattani and Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Flood-related deaths in Songkhla province surged from six to 55 on Thursday, sending the overall death toll across the seven provinces to at least 82 people, said Siripong Angkasakulkiat, a spokesperson for the government, in a press conference in Bangkok.
Officials expect water levels to recede below river banks in every affected area by Friday evening, he added.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul earlier this week declared a state of emergency in Songkhla, which includes southern Thailand’s biggest city, Hat Yai, citing the “unprecedented severity” of the flooding.
Video footage showed water levels in Hat Yai had dropped Thursday, revealing widespread damage throughout the city.
Thousands of people were trapped as floodwaters submerged entire areas. Many people also lost access to critical services like electricity, water and telecommunications, which experienced disruptions in many areas.
Eight field hospitals were established to support Hat Yai Hospital, which remained unable to operate at full capacity, according to the country’s Public Health Ministry.
The ministry said 20 patients, who were in critical condition, were airlifted on Thursday to nearby cities to receive urgent medical treatment. They also noted that additional food supplies were delivered to medical staff and the remaining patients in the affected areas.