Thailand – Floods in South Leave 11 Dead and 350,000 Affected

Severe flooding that began on Thursday 01 December 2016 has now affected 10 provinces in southern Thailand.

Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) says that 11 people have died in the floods and 2 people remain missing. Over 360,000 people have been affected. Flooding has also caused major disruption to train travel in the south.

The fatalities were reported in the provinces of Surat Thani (2), Nakhon Si Thammarat (3), Songkhla (2), Phatthalung (2), Pattani (2). Flooding has also affected the provinces of Chumphon, Krabi, Trang, Yala and Narathiwat. Reports of 04 December said that flood situation in Songkhla has started to ease.

A spokesman said that the Prime Minster has instructed all relevant authorities to urgently help flood victims by setting up rapid response teams and preparing equipment for tackling floods around the clock. All agencies have teamed up to help the flood-affected victims and dispatched officials to survey the damage in order to provide assistance in accordance with the Ministry of Finance’s regulations.

Warnings

Director-General of the DDPM Chatchai Promlert said that the impact of the active northeast monsoon, which has been covering Thailand’s southern region and the Gulf of Thailand since 01 December, has been strengthening.

The Meteorological Department has forecast that heavy rain covering the southern region will continue. A statement by the department said:

“A strong low pressure front persisting over Sumatra Island is poised to move northwest to generate monsoons and strong winds in the Gulf of Thailand. The situation will also result in heavy rains in provinces including Prachuapkirikan, Chumporn, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phattalung, Songkla, Ranong, Phang-Nga, Phuket and Krabi. Citizens are urged to be careful of both storms and possible flash flooding.”

Rainfall

All figures approximate, for a 24 hour period.

04 to 05 December 2016

• Songkhla -134 mm
• Nakhon Si Thammarat – 120 mm

03 to 04 December

• Chumphon – 55.8 mm
• Sawi Agromet – 49.8 mm

02 to 03 December

• Ko Samui – 156.6 mm
• Surat Thani – 161.5 mm
• Surat Thani Agromet – 187.0 mm

01 to 02 December

• Surat Thani – 187.7 mm
• Nakhonsi Thammarat Agromet – 192.2 mm
• Surat Thani Agromet – 115.8 mm
• Phatthalung Agromet – 150.8 mm
• Songkhla – 235.0 mm
• Kho Hong Agromet – 175.4 mm
• Sa-Dao – 111.5 mm
• Pattani – 216.7 mm
• Yala Agromet – 167.8 mm
• Narathiwat – 226.0 mm

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