Flooding in Songkhla has begun to recede today, but the situation in three southern provinces remains critical. People are trapped and struggling with transportation, which is particularly affecting patients needing to visit pharmacies, clinics and hospitals.
The situation could deteriorate further, because the Meteorological Department has forecast more heavy rain from tomorrow in Songkhla, Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat, potentially causing more flash floods, especially in mountainous areas, near waterways and in low-lying regions.
In Yala, residents have just begun clearing their homes of debris. Belongings and vehicles were swamped, as they could not be moved before the floodwaters came.
The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department states that the situation is now returning to normal. Several communities in low-lying areas of the province are, however, still inundated.
Food and water supplies are needed for people in Tha Sap, Na Tham, and Yupo sub-districts, as they remain stranded. Only high-clearance vehicles can access these areas.
At the Coconut Market, floodwaters have receded, but remain at around 30cm deep, despite the use of water pumps. Garbage is floating along the main road through the market, slowing down drainage.
The flooding of the market started on November 26. Even though shop owners moved their belongings and stock to higher ground, much damage was caused.
Pattama Mayunoh, a bag shop owner, told a Thai PBS reporter that she did not expect this year's flood to cause so much damage and that there is almost nothing that can still be sold.
She added that she has not recovered from the financial losses from last year’s flood, and now this year’s flood has arrived. Moreover, she has not received any compensation from the authorities.
Household essentials, electrical appliances and clothes, partially damaged by floodwater, were being sold at half price at the municipal market. Some shops are currently cleaning up, checking stock, sorting items and preparing for discount sales.
Mobile medical units from the provincial hospital are working in various areas of the province to assist patients, especially the elderly. Medication for some chronic patients is waterlogged, so they are now being prescribed new doses, with additional supplies to be distributed tomorrow.
Meanwhile in Pattani, the Pattani River water level is high, as floodwater from Yala drains into the river. Homes in the Rong Ang riverside communities have been underwater for three days.
Floodwaters in some parts of the area are around 2m deep and many schools remain closed. Residents have installed ropes to block traffic lanes, as some people drive past at high speed, causing floodwater to wash into their houses.
Last night, an intubated patient from Fort Ingkhayutthaborihan Hospital was transferred to Pattani Hospital by the army.
The deep floodwaters pose a significant obstacle because they make travel very hard and temporary shelters, set up by residents, line both sides of the road. Additionally, vehicles and pets have been placed on the median strip to keep them above the floodwaters.
In Tak Bai district of Narathiwat province, water levels remain high, making it difficult to reach remote areas. The shelter at Koh Sathon School is housing several hundred people evacuated from their residences, as the floodwater remains over a meter deep.
People are having to wade through neck-deep water in some places to check their houses and only a few can get out to receive survival kits and supplies. A villager told the reporter that there are no authorities assisting the people here.
For those living in areas where the floodwater has receded, their houses are too damaged to be occupied and need to be cleaned.
Meanwhile, they are being advised to keep their belongings on higher ground and to monitor rainfall and potential flood reports closely.
