BANGKOK (Bernama): The devastating floods in southern Thailand has claimed at least 12 lives, with more than 18,000 households in Pattani, Narathiwat, and Yala provinces still grappling with flooding.
The Public Health Ministry reported that eight people died in Narathiwat, three in Yala, and one in Pattani.
Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), Chaiwat Junthirapong, said a total of 109,282 households in five provinces - Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala, Songkhla, and Satun - had been affected by the floods since Dec 22.
As the flood situation improves and floodwaters continue to recede, he mentioned that the affected areas are now reduced to three provinces: Narathiwat, Yala, and Pattani.
"As of 6 am (local time) today, a total of 18,783 households in 34 districts in Pattani, Narathiwat, and Yala are still affected by the floods. In Pattani, there are 9,632 households in six districts experiencing floods. In Narathiwat (9,029 households), and Yala (122 households) were impacted by the floods,” he said in a statement.
Chaiwat mentioned that local authorities have mobilised personnel, along with machinery, including water pumps and hydraulic backhoes, to expedite flood relief efforts in affected areas.
"Teams are diligently working to drain floodwaters and clear debris, aiming to enable the swift return of displaced villagers to their homes,” he said.
He added that officials are conducting a survey in flood-affected areas to assess damage to homes, infrastructure, and agricultural land.
Meanwhile, local media reported that the flood situation in Pattani remains critical, with widespread flooding and infrastructure damage following overflow from the Pattani and the Sai Buri River.
Besides that, business premises and homes in Pattani town were inundated with floodwater flowing from Narathiwat and Yala to the sea through Pattani.
Residents in Pattani said floodwater levels were at their highest in about five decades along the Sai Buri River, as reported by Bangkok Post.
Meanwhile, Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew said 34 public health service centres have been closed due to floods -12 in Yala, Narathiwat (11), and Pattani (11).
He said the ministry had opened a total of 43 evacuation centres across flood-hit Pattani, Narathiwat, and Yala provinces to provide shelter for 7,000 people affected by the flood. - Bernama
