The floods in Hat Yai, Southern Thailand continue to worsen, with water levels rising again this morning in many areas, causing some stranded victims to continue waiting for rescue teams from specific countries and missing the best opportunity to evacuate.
Volunteer rescuer Alez Ander on the front lines has repeatedly urged all Malaysians trapped in the area to “prioritize escaping the hardest-hit zones,” and not to delay evacuation by being selective about rescue units.
He pointed out that there are currently rescue teams in the disaster area from the Thai government, local volunteer organizations, as well as multiple NGO teams including those from Malaysia assisting with evacuation. However, some victims insist on only boarding “boats from specific countries,” causing confusion and increasing danger.
He emphasized: “If you see a rescue boat, get on it immediately! Stop choosing whether it’s a Malaysian boat – what’s most important now is to get out of the disaster area alive!”
Rescue personnel also call on relatives and friends outside to relay to stranded victims to keep communication lines open, and to proceed to a safe floor or the hotel lobby immediately when instructed and wait for any available rescue boats.
Currently, multiple Malaysian NGO teams have established contact with the consulate and are assisting Malaysian citizens to gradually evacuate to safe areas. Thai authorities have also stepped up deployment of boats and 4WD vehicles into deeper flooded areas to speed up evacuation efforts.
Rescue teams remind that the flood situation remains unstable, and water levels could rise at any time. Delays in evacuation or waiting for a “more ideal rescue unit” should be avoided.