On the 25th, Thai government spokesperson Siripong informed the media that the government has decided to implement an emergency decree in Songkhla province, appointing Thai Army Commander Wukit Bentawan as the local crisis commander to coordinate the response to the worsening flood disaster.
Siripong revealed that Prime Minister Anutin has instructed relevant departments to expedite the evacuation of stranded residents and promptly deliver essential living supplies and communication equipment to the disaster areas. At present, the military has deployed aircraft and boats for rescue operations.
This flood is one of the most severe natural disasters in southern Thailand since 2000 and has caused serious damage to key infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and drainage systems.
18 Deaths in Southern Thailand
In addition, Thailand's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported that, as of the morning of the 26th, floods in southern Thailand have caused 18 deaths.
The department stated the flood has resulted in 6 deaths in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, 5 in Songkhla, 3 in Pattani, and 2 each in Yala and Phatthalung provinces.
This disastrous flood, triggered by heavy rain, continues to devastate 9 out of 14 provinces in southern Thailand: Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Phatthalung, Satun, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat.
Except for Surat Thani Province where water levels are receding, in most areas of the nine provinces the water levels continue to rise. The lives of more than 2.78 million people have been severely affected, with hundreds of thousands of houses submerged.
Thailand's meteorological department forecasts that rainfall will gradually ease from the 26th, continuing until next Monday.