Catastrophic flooding has devastated southern Thailand, resulting in 33 fatalities and affecting nearly one million families across nine provinces. The scale of the disaster has triggered an extensive emergency response, with the Thai government declaring a state of emergency in the severely impacted province of Songkhla. This tragic event underscores the ongoing vulnerability of Southeast Asia to extreme weather conditions, a risk also closely monitored by disaster management agencies in Türkiye.
Official reports indicate that Nakhon Si Thammarat is the hardest-hit province, recording nine deaths. Songkhla follows with six casualties, while both Pattani and Yala have confirmed five deaths each. The Flood Crisis Operations Center has issued urgent warnings, urging residents in high-risk zones to be prepared to evacuate immediately if alerted. Meteorologists predict continued heavy to very heavy rainfall, creating further danger of flash floods and worsening conditions across the region.
The impact of the flooding is widespread, with more than 980,000 families affected in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Phatthalung, Pattani, Narathiwat, Yala, Trang, Satun, and Surat Thani. The severity of the situation has even forced the relocation of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games from their original host province, Songkhla, to the capital, Bangkok.
In response to the escalating emergency, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has declared a formal state of emergency. To ensure efficient coordination of rescue and relief efforts, the supreme commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces has been appointed to lead all emergency operations. This decisive action reflects the gravity of the crisis and the nationwide commitment required to support affected communities.
