Thailand’s southern province of Nakhon Sri Thammarat continues to face severe flooding with the death toll rising to seven on Thursday.
According to the local police station in Nakhon Sri Thammarat, the deaths resulted from accidental drowning.
“Seven people have died,” Officer Samrit Kitket, a police officer from the Nakhon Si Thammarat central station told Thai Enquirer on Thursday.
“The deaths are either from drowning or flash floods. All have been accidents.”
Samrit also added that due to the floods, he himself has been stuck in the police station for three days straight now.
However, according to Samrit, the situation shows sign of improvement.
“I would say that we have solved around 60 per cent of the crisis,” he said. “There has been less rain, more sunshine, the flash floods are gone, and we now only have tides from the ocean left.”
While some of the main roads in the city have been cleared, small cars are still unable to pass through.
“Large cars are pretty much good to go now, but small cars still cannot get through,” Samrit added.
According to official statistics, the province has seen over 150,000 rai of land inundated.
While all 19 districts, 133 subdistricts, and 942 villages have been hit, Samrit confirmed to Thai Enquirer that all residents and those who are affected have been assisted by the state and relevant organizations.
Although the situation is still dire, Samrit said that once the rain is better, the situation will become better.
More rain forecast
Since earlier this week, the Thai Meteorological Department has warned provinces and regions in Thailand’s south of flooding.
The department further warned of heavy rains that will likely hit 12 provinces and with the situation continuing until December 4.
This is due to the monsoon from the Northeast region of Thailand that will continue to cover the country’s southern gulf. The 12 provinces in question are Surat Thani, Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun.
The Meteorological Department advised again on Thursday against boats, local fishermen, and people going to sea.
Nakhon Sri Thammarat faces worst flood crisis in 30 years, death toll climbs to 7 - Thai Enquirer