A resident looking through belongings floating in flood waters inside her home following heavy rain in Thailand's southern province of Narathiwat on Nov 28, 2024. - AFP
PATTANI: Floods in southern Thailand have claimed two lives and forced the evacuation of thousands, authorities confirmed Thursday (Nov 28), while rising waters inundated homes since Wednesday, leaving widespread devastation.
Pattani Governor Pateemoh Sadeeyamu said a 42-year-old woman with memory issues was found in a paddy field near her home, while a 26-year-old man was discovered inside his house.
Twelve districts in Pattani have been submerged, with water levels reaching up to two metres due to overflowing from the Pattani and Saiburi Rivers, and over 20,000 families have been affected and need to be relocated to safer areas, Pateemoh added.
In Narathiwat, Governor Trakul Totham reported that flooding had disrupted business activities across 13 districts.
"I’ve been informed that 154,535 people from 42,285 families are affected as the Golok, Saiburi, and Bannara Rivers have overflowed by up to one metre.
"This has resulted in flooding across 13 districts, 76 sub-districts, and 540 villages,” he said.
In BANGKOK, Thailand’s national police chief, Pol. Gen. Kittharath Punpetch, has instructed Regional Police Divisions 8 and 9 to assist affected communities until the situation stabilises.
Kittharath stated that police are closely monitoring the floods to ensure timely assistance for victims.
"Measures include safeguarding lives and property, easing traffic in flooded areas, and addressing the needs of police officers and facilities impacted by the disaster,” he said in a statement.
He added that officers in affected areas have been directed to guide residents on alternative routes and patrol to protect lives and property.
"Efforts are also underway to prevent criminal activities targeting flood victims,” he said. - Bernama
