On December 19, Mr. Phassakorn Boonyalak, Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), reported severe flooding in southern Thailand due to a strong cold air mass from China. From November 22 to December 19, 11 provinces faced flash floods and runoffs, impacting 118 districts, 790 sub-districts, and 5,841 villages. The disaster affected 779,145 households and claimed 46 lives.
Current Situation in Two Provinces
Flooding persists in Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat:
1. Surat Thani:
- Flooding in 17 districts, including Muang, Phunphin, and Ko Samui.
- Impacted 35,458 households across 109 sub-districts and 811 villages.
- Eight fatalities reported, with water levels in the Tapi River now receding.
2. Nakhon Si Thammarat:
- Flooding in 20 districts, including Pak Phanang, Sichon, and Thung Song.
- Affected 55,277 households in 69 sub-districts and 311 villages.
- Eight fatalities reported, with water levels in the Tha Dee Canal decreasing.
Government Response
The DDPM has deployed personnel and equipment to assist affected areas, including water pumps, evacuation vehicles, drinking water production units, flat-bottom boats, and KA-32 disaster helicopters. Coordination efforts are ongoing with local authorities to assess damages and provide relief per the Ministry of Finance regulations.