Trang: Several southern provinces are submerged after continuous heavy rains and floodwaters have caused severe hardship to over 100,000 people, with homes damaged and main roads cut off. Officials are working 24 hours a day to evacuate those affected from at-risk areas. Officials rescued three people, aged between 40 and 50, trapped inside a house in a palm plantation in Huai Yot District, Trang Province, due to water levels exceeding 1.5 meters and strong currents. Using flat-bottomed boats and ropes tied to rubber trees, officials were able to safely bring the three people out. The rescue operation was amidst intense suspense as the village leaders ignored warnings to evacuate, leaving them trapped inside the house and unable to fight the current to find food. They then called for help from officials. A secondary accident occurred during the rescue operation: a sidecar carrying administrative officials and a hospital worker from Pak Khom Hospital overturned while attempting to rescue victims. One hospital
worker sustained a broken left arm and four others sustained minor injuries.
According to Thai News Agency, the flooding situation in Yan Ta Khao Subdistrict Municipality, Trang Province, has returned to a critical state. Floodwaters are now 1-3 meters higher than the first wave due to a large mass of water from the Banthat Mountain Range. Reports indicate that a weir at Phrai Sawan Waterfall has burst, causing rapid flooding in Palian and Yan Ta Khao districts. Transportation routes have been cut off, with the Trang-Phatthalung and Trang-Palian roads impassable. Over 70,000 people in nine districts in Trang Province have been affected, with over 70 schools closed.
The flash flood destroyed the entire house, making it impossible for small cars to pass. Phatthalung Province is also a cause for concern after heavy rains caused flash floods from the Banthat Mountain Range to overflow and inundate homes across a wide area. Late last night, strong and swift floodwaters from the Banthat Mountain Range swept away the house of Mr. Aphon in Village No. 5, Kong Ra Subdistrict, completely damaging it. Officials provided initial assistance and arranged temporary shelter. Fortunately, no fatalities occurred. Another critical point was a landslide on Khao Phanthurat Road in Village No. 3, Kong Ra Subdistrict, where several large trees fell and blocked the road, making it impassable. Officials are working quickly to use machinery to clear the road.
Flash floods flowing from Takhmod District through Tha Chiat Weir are still flooding the Asian Highway. The water level is 40-50 centimeters high. Small vehicles are unable to pass through, causing traffic congestion. Officials have had to close some sections of the road and advise people to use detour routes.
Narathiwat Province is also experiencing a crisis, with flooding in nine districts affecting over 153,000 people and causing one death. Three major rivers, the Bang Nara and Sai Ri, are overflowing their banks, while the Su-ngai Kolok River is expected to rise. Villagers are having to wade through the strong currents to get out of their homes. In the Tanyong Mat and Lahan sub-districts, people are having to use boats to get in and out, with some people having to evacuate to shelters. Marine police and administrative officials had to wade through rip currents over two meters high in Ra-ngae District to evacuate and distribute aid to residents. Meanwhile, Yi-ngo District opened a kitchen and temporary shelters to prepare for the next wave of floodwaters.
In Satun Province, the situation remains dire as water levels surge again, flooding all seven districts and affecting more than 36,000 people. As the flooding continues for the sixth day, the province has declared a disaster emergency zone. The Deputy Mayor of Satun Municipality is evacuating residents in Soi Ruean Mai, an area near the canal bank, where water levels have risen to the point where they cannot stay inside their homes. Many residents are lacking drinking water and food due to the strong current and difficult access to the area.
Yala Province is also in crisis, with seven districts affected, impacting over 65,600 people. Three deaths have been reported, and extensive damage to homes has occurred. The province has declared three districts and five sub-districts disaster zones and has quickly set up kitchens to assist those affected and evacuated residents to 38 shelters.