The death toll from the worst flooding to hit southern Thailand in decades has climbed to 22, with thousands remaining displaced in relief camps as authorities warn of further heavy rainfall in the coming days, Bloomberg reports.
Torrential rains and flash floods, which began on November 22, have devastated the southern provinces, affecting 664,173 households, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. As of Monday, some 22,000 people were sheltering in temporary accommodations, with seven provinces still grappling with significant flooding.
While the intensity of rainfall has lessened in recent days, a new wave of heavy downpours is anticipated. The Meteorological Department has issued a warning, citing a low-pressure system moving from the South China Sea into the Gulf of Thailand. This system is expected to bring intense rainfall and a high risk of flash flooding between December 3 and 5.
While flooding is common in Southeast Asia during monsoon season, this year’s rainfall has been exceptionally intense. Neighboring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia have also experienced severe flooding in recent days, disrupting operations at palm oil and rubber plantations.
In response to the crisis, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has instructed officials to expedite relief and recovery efforts. Government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub announced that financial aid will be provided to each affected household, with the Government Savings Bank tasked with offering low-interest loans to businesses to aid in rebuilding and recovering from losses.
