Two people have died in the southern province of Pattani, one by drowning and the other electrocuted, as 13 districts in Narathiwat and six districts in Pattani are declared flood disaster zones.
In Yala province, which is facing its worst flooding in 30 years, floodwater in the Mueang district is almost two metres deep today, forcing many residents to take refuge on the second floors of their houses. Officials say that several hundred cars and motorcycles are under water.
Several vans, carry patients to the provincial hospital, were forced to turn back because the road to the hospital has become impassable. A few emergency vehicles have had to be abandoned as their engines stopped working.
The flood situation in Yala is unlikely to improve soon, as it continues to rain.
In Narathiwat province, 13 districts have been declared public disaster zones and classes at 68 schools have been suspended due to heavy flooding, which has also forced the suspension of public transport services.
In Pattani province, people in Mueang district are using boats to get around, as the floodwater is now about a metre deep downtown and about two metres deep near the Pattani River.
According to the Department of Public Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, the flooding in seven southern provinces is affecting more than 130,000 households.
Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul sent his deputy, Sabeeda Thaised, to Narathiwat and Yala provinces today to coordinate relief efforts.
Anutin will fly to the southern provinces tomorrow.
