Songkhla province has declared an emergency disaster zone in seven districts after days of heavy rain triggered widespread flooding, affecting nearly 18,000 households. No injuries or fatalities have been reported.
Continuous heavy rain caused by a monsoon trough over the South and a strong northeast monsoon have inundated large areas in this southern province since Nov 19.
The affected districts are Rattaphum, Muang Songkhla, Khlong Hoi Khong, Ranot, Krasae Sin, Sathing Phra and Hat Yai.
Authorities said on Friday that the floods have impacted 159 villages in 28 tambons, affecting 17,886 households or 44,958 people. One house was completely destroyed and three partially damaged.
A tambon health promotion hospital and six roads were inundated. The disaster has also caused flash floods and strong winds since Thursday.
A local official points at a water pump to drain floodwater from an affected area in Songkhla on Friday. (Photo: Assawin Pakkawan)
Songkhla governor Ratthasart Chidchoo on Friday instructed all 16 district chiefs to coordinate with local highway offices to install warning signs and traffic cones, and to request additional water pumps from local administrative organisations, disaster prevention and mitigation offices, and irrigation agencies to drain floodwater and reopen roads as quickly as possible.
If water levels remained high, district authorities were asked to advise motorists to use alternative routes for safety.
As of Friday, the flooding situation remained critical as rain continues in some areas, raising water levels in rivers and canals.
The monsoon trough is expected to move toward the Andaman Sea on Nov 24. Officials are monitoring conditions around the clock and urging residents in risk zones to stay alert and follow official weather updates closely.
Schools across Songkhla have suspended on-site classes and switched to online learning for safety amid persistent heavy rain.
In Pattani, flooding reached Sai Buri Hospital on Friday, prompting preparations to relocate dialysis patients.
Those scheduled for treatment at the public hospital in Sai Buri district of this southern border province are advised to go to Pattani Hospital instead. Patients unable to travel should contact the dialysis unit immediately.
Hospital staff move a patient in flooded Sai Buri Hospital in Pattani province on Friday. (Photo: Abdullah Benjakat)