SONGKHLA: Heavy rains in Thailand have caused unprecedented destruction, breaking a 300-year record. The flooding has affected nine provinces, with over 400 millimeters of rainfall recorded in various regions, leading to the worst deluge in three centuries.
The recent stormy weather, ongoing since the weekend, has submerged popular tourist city Hat Yai and other southern areas, with water accumulation reaching up to 8 feet in some places. As a result, nine provinces are now underwater, affecting approximately 127,000 households.
According to the Thai Ministry of Health, 19 people have lost their lives due to accidents related to the flooding, including electric shocks and other incidents. The government has declared a state of emergency in Songkhla province in the south, as meteorologists warn of further heavy rains and potential flooding this week.
Typically, Thailand experiences intense monsoon rains from June to September, but experts attribute the recent extreme weather to climate change, which has made weather patterns more unpredictable. Meanwhile, neighboring Malaysia and Vietnam have also faced severe rainfall and landslides, impacting thousands of residents.
