Torrential floods have devastated southern Thailand, leading to the displacement of thousands and a rising death toll, now at 25, as officials reported on Tuesday. Since November 22, the flooding has impacted over 660,000 homes across the region, according to the country’s disaster agency.
In Songkhla province, Suwas Bin-Uma, a local chicken farmer, described the catastrophic loss of his flock of more than 10,000 chickens, estimating damages at approximately 3 million baht ($87,000).
The Thai government reported that more than 22,000 individuals have been forced from their homes in Pattani, Narathiwat, Songkhla, and Yala provinces. In response to the rising waters, residents in Songkhla have been seen stacking sandbags in an effort to protect their properties. Abdullah Abu, a village head in Yala, noted that floodwaters in some areas have reached up to seven meters (23 feet), with residents receiving only one meal a day from rescue teams.
In neighboring Malaysia, the situation is similarly dire, with over 94,000 people still displaced in Kelantan state and five confirmed dead. Images reveal homes surrounded by water, as residents work to clear their properties.
The region is experiencing heavy monsoon rains, which are becoming increasingly severe due to human-induced climate change. This has led to more intense weather patterns, making destructive floods more likely. A recent study indicated that climate change is causing typhoons to form closer to shore, intensifying rapidly and lingering longer over land.
Thailand’s weather agency has forecast additional heavy rain until December 5. In a bid to assist affected families, the Thai cabinet approved a payment of 9,000 baht per household.
Earlier this year, Thailand’s northern provinces were also severely impacted by flooding due to Typhoon Yagi, which caused widespread devastation and loss of life across Southeast Asia.
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