The Thai Meteorological Department warned on Wednesday that due to heavy rains and flash floods, 12 Southern provinces by the Andaman Gulf are now at risk of inundation and flooding.
Due to the monsoon currently covering Thailand’s northeast region and passing over to the southern Gulf, the region has for the past several days been met with heavy rainfall, the department said.
The Meteorological Department further advised residents down south to stay put under the turbulent weather, and also for local fishermen and boats to avoid going out to sea.
Nakhon Si Thammarat
Meanwhile, severe flooding has hit Thailand’s southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, causing schools, universities, businesses, roads throughout the province to close.
After several consecutive days of heavy rains, the severity of the floods has only increased.
Many villagers and locals in the middle of Tuesday night and Wednesday morning have been forced to quickly relocate and move their belongings — indefinitely.
“All the major roads in the city have been closed,” said Samrit Kitket, a local police from the Nakhon Si Thammarat police station.
“We have to now manage the routes and channels.”
“Even large cars cannot pass through now,” Puangpit Mattarak, a staff at Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation shared with Thai Enquirer on Wednesday.
“It happened overnight, but we have received many calls [from the locals] and all relevant organizations are now working to address the issue.”
“We have prepared boats, food, beverages, and necessities to assist those that have been affected,” Puangpit added.
The flooding has hit every corner of the province, including all 11 districts, 39 subdistricts, and 140 villages.
The province is currently experiencing flash flooding, the local authorities added, with heavy rains still unrelenting.
“We expect the situation to worsen,” Samrit told Thai Enquirer on Wednesday.
While the Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport is still open, most flights have now been delayed.
When asked when he expects the situation to subside, Samrit said “this is a situation that we cannot yet predict.”
“We expected the waters to flow out into the Andaman Sea but because there is no wind, the flooding is going to continue.”
Local schools and universities have also now been closed indefinitely, Samrit added.
Southern Thailand hit with severe floods, more heavy rains due - Thai Enquirer