Thai officials said severe flooding in the country’s 12 southern provinces has killed at least 145 people and affected about 3.6 million others, although many areas remain under water. Songkhla province remains the worst-hit area, with 110 deaths recorded so far, according to Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. Flooding caused by heavy rains has affected about 1.2 million homes in 12 provinces in southern Thailand, such as Trang, Phatthalung, Satun, Songkhla, Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala.
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Videos and pictures of the affected areas and provinces are also going viral on social media, showing the devastation. Infrastructure was badly damaged, and photos showed debris piled up on roads. Due to the floods, thousands of people are stranded in the affected areas, whom the authorities are trying to rescue. Although water has receded in the affected areas, rescue operations still remain difficult for officials as the water level is still high in some areas.
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Songkhla remains the worst-hit region, where Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul declared a state of emergency earlier this week. It is noteworthy that Songkhla also includes Hat Yai, the largest city of southern Thailand.Charnvirakul had earlier visited Hat Yai and taken stock of the situation there. Speaking to the press there, Charnvirakul said he would also visit other affected areas, and pointed out that the situation was improving.
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Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health said it had set up eight regional hospitals to provide support to Hat Yai Hospital, which is not operating at full capacity. The ministry said it was also providing additional food supplies and medical staff to Hat Yai Hospital to provide additional support and assistance to those affected. Meanwhile, Thailand’s meteorological department said rainfall has subsided, but warned of thunderstorms in many areas.