The Cabinet declared a state of emergency in Songkhla province today and appointed Supreme Commander Gen Ukrit Boontanont as the flood situation director, in charge of coordinating the flood relief operations of all agencies.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that the supreme commander’s appointment will not duplicate the work of Agriculture Minister Thammanat Prompao, director of the Flood Relief Command Centre, adding that both of them are equally empowered to make decisions for the good of the people.
Asked why Thammanat was in Chiang Mai, instead of Songkhla to oversee relief operations yesterday, the prime minister said he was told on the phone by Thammanat that the plane could not land in Hat Yai due to poor visibility, but promised to return to Hat Yai as soon as possible.
He declined to respond, however, when a reporter asked him to whom, between Thammanat and Gen Ukrit, the officials will be answerable.
The Department of Public Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has raised the severe flooding in Hat Yai to Level 4.
Anutin said His Majesty the King has expressed concern over the evacuation of flood victims to safer areas and has contributed relief materials.
He pointed out that evacuation of victims trapped in their flooded houses is the first priority, adding that emergency units have been working tirelessly to rescue them and to take them to safety.
He dismissed criticism that the government was too slow in responding to the flooding in Hat Yai.
Meanwhile, a short video clip was posted on the social media today featuring three men climbing along a web of suspended utility cables, in their desperate attempt to escape from their heavily-flooded house to a safer area across a submerged road in Hat Yai.
The poster, Kang Namkthip, wrote that floodwater has reached the second floor of their house, prompting the three of them to decide to leave and call for help.
The clip has caused widespread concern among the viewers and reflects the desperation of victims who are yet to be evacuated.
