Deadly floods hit Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat
Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat have been hit hard by renewed flooding, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. Persistent heavy rain since December 12 has caused significant overflow from canals and other water sources, inundating agricultural areas, roads, and homes across these southern provinces.
In Surat Thani, the districts of Mueang, Kanchanadit, and Don Sak experienced severe flooding yesterday, December 14, affecting 315 households in 42 villages. In Huai Dan Village Moo 6, Kanchanadit, floodwaters rose to about 1 metre, prompting rescue workers to assist residents in relocating their belongings to higher ground.
Theeyut Supawiboonphol, the deputy governor of Surat Thani, has instructed the district officials to extend assistance to those affected by floods and landslides, while also assessing the damage. Floodwaters were anticipated to rise further in Kanchanadit and Don Sak due to additional runoff.
“Floodwaters are expected to rise further in Kanchanadit and Don Sak as runoff flows into those districts.”
Meanwhile, in Nakhon Si Thammarat, parts of Mueang district saw water levels between 30 and 50 centimetres yesterday. In Tha Sala district, roads became heavily flooded, forcing residents to use boats to access their communities.
A dramatic rescue unfolded in Sichon district where a man, Trairong Laosakulsuk, found his pickup truck stuck in a flooded road while transporting oil palm nuts.
Southern floods
Trairong described the sudden escalation of the situation.
“I was driving my vehicle along the road when forest runoff suddenly raced through the area and the water rose rapidly. I could not drive my vehicle away in time.”
He managed to climb onto the bed of his truck, standing atop the oil palm nuts, until rescuers arrived with a jet ski to bring him to safety. Soldiers later assisted in retrieving his vehicle from the floodwaters.
The flooding tragically claimed two lives in Thung Song district of Nakhon Si Thammarat on December 13. Niphon Boonsong, a76 year old man, succumbed after slipping and hitting his head on a water drainage pipe while fishing in tambon Nong Hong. Boonchu Mankhong, a 69 year old man, also met a tragic end after slipping into a ditch at his flooded rubber plantation, reported Bangkok Post.
Beyond these areas, Chumphon residents were surprised by flash floods, leaving many to watch helplessly as their furniture floated away.
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) had issued warnings earlier, highlighting the potential for heavy rains impacting provinces such as Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Chumphon, Surat Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat from yesterday through tomorrow.
