SURAT THANI, Thailand – Surat Thani province has declared a disaster area in eight districts as severe flooding continues to affect local communities, December 16. Thousands of residents are struggling with floodwaters that have submerged homes, roads, and schools, and authorities are rushing to provide aid.
The flooding, caused by heavy rainfall over the past three days, is exacerbated by runoff from the mountain ranges of Nakhon Si Thammarat. In the village of Ban Don Luang, in the Kanchanadit district, floodwaters have risen over 1 meter in some areas, making daily life extremely difficult.
Acting Governor of Surat Thani, Theeratum Supawiboonphol, along with officials from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) and local authorities, visited affected areas to provide emergency relief, including food and supplies. As of now, eight districts have been declared disaster zones, including Muang Surat Thani, Kanchanadit, Don Sak, Tha Chana, Tha Chang, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Ban Na Sarn.
The flooding has resulted in at least two fatalities. The latest victim, a 15-year-old named Worakit, was killed by a landslide in Muang Surat Thani on the morning of December 16. Additionally, in the Chaiya district, a fishing boat capsized, resulting in the death of another individual.
In Surat Thani Municipality, heavy rain caused widespread flooding on roads, including the main Kanjanawithi Road, which saw long traffic jams. Local authorities have closed certain roads temporarily and are working to pump out the floodwater. Several schools in the municipality have canceled in-person classes and switched to online learning for student safety.
Air travel has also been impacted. Flights scheduled to land at Surat Thani Airport around 7:00-7:30 PM on December 15 were rerouted to Phuket Airport due to poor weather conditions. Passengers were brought back to Surat Thani later in the evening when the weather cleared.
Authorities are continuing to assess the situation and provide necessary assistance as more heavy rain is expected. (TNA)
