The Royal Thai Navy has mobilised a major relief operation, including an aircraft carrier, as severe flooding triggered by record-breaking rainfall continues to ravage southern Thailand, claiming the lives of thirteen people.
Navy's Substantial Relief Operation
Authorities are dispatching the aircraft carrier Chakri Naruebet along with a flotilla of 14 boats to assist victims. This naval task force is laden with vital relief supplies, medical teams, helicopters, and field kitchens capable of producing 3,000 meals daily for those affected.
In a statement, the navy confirmed the fleet is ready to carry out orders and noted the carrier could also function as a floating hospital for those in need of urgent medical care.
Widespread Devastation Across the Region
The scale of the disaster is immense. Floodwaters, reaching depths of up to two metres in some areas, have submerged nine Thai provinces and eight states in neighbouring Malaysia. This devastation spans hundreds of kilometres, echoing the destructive monsoon floods of the previous year which killed 12 people.
An estimated 1.9 million people have been affected in Thailand alone. The country's meteorology agency has forecast sustained heavy rain and flash floods, issuing warnings for small boats to remain ashore due to dangerous waves exceeding 3 metres (10 feet) in height.
Ground Zero: Crisis in Hat Yai
The city of Hat Yai, Thailand's fifth-largest city and a rubber trading hub, is among the worst affected. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated the relentless rain has caused the worst flooding the city has seen in 15 years.
The situation on the ground is dire. A member of the volunteer Matchima Rescue Center in Hat Yai reported receiving thousands of non-stop calls over three days, with residents pleading for evacuation and food.
Social media has become a critical lifeline. On the Matchima group's Facebook page, desperate posts from stranded residents run into the thousands. One user, The Hong Tep, appealed for help, stating, "We are five people and a small child without rice and water. Phone reception has been cut - water is rising fast." Another, Pingojung Ping, wrote that water had reached the second floor of their location, trapping six people, including two elderly individuals.
The severity of the weather was highlighted by the fact that Hat Yai received 335 mm (13 inches) of rain on Friday, its highest single-day rainfall in three centuries.
Cross-Border Impact and Economic Fallout
The crisis extends beyond Thailand's borders. In Malaysia, more than 18,500 people have been relocated from flooded areas to 126 evacuation centres, primarily in northern regions bordering Thailand.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed his concern on Facebook, urging family safety as a priority and ordering authorities to provide maximum support. "In this difficult and challenging time, I pray that all flood victims are granted strength, resilience, and protected from any harm," he said.
The floods are also poised to disrupt Thailand's crucial rubber industry. The government rubber agency estimates the torrential rains could cut production by approximately 10,300 tons, dealing a significant blow to one of the world's largest producers and exporters of the commodity.
