PRESS RELEASE:
Southern Thailand is battling widespread flooding caused by relentless rainfall, with Nakhon Si Thammarat recording 392 mm of rain in 24 hours as of December 16. Several districts, including Tha Sala, Pak Phanang, and Ron Phibun, are heavily inundated. River basins such as Tha Dee Canal and Pak Phanang Basin have exceeded critical water levels, submerging urban and agricultural areas.
The Nakhon Si Thammarat Irrigation Project has mobilized personnel and equipment, deploying 63 water pumps and 19 water pushers to affected districts. Efforts are concentrated on draining water from 3,000 rai of ruby pomelo farms in Pak Phanang, a key economic area. Measures include operating floodgates and maximizing drainage during low tide to limit waterlogging to no more than five days. Additional warnings have been issued for rising water levels in the upper Tapi River, threatening low-lying areas in neighboring districts.
Flooding has impacted five southern provinces (Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Phatthalung), impacting over 128,000 households across 47 districts. Surat Thani has reported three fatalities due to landslides, while relief centers have been set up in several provinces to assist displaced residents. Although floodwaters are receding in some areas, continued rainfall is exacerbating conditions in others.
The Ministry of Labor has deployed mobile units to Nakhon Si Thammarat to provide free repairs for damaged electrical appliances and agricultural machinery. Workers affected by the flooding can apply for unemployment benefits or arrange leave without penalties. The Thai Meteorological Department has warned of continued heavy rainfall across southern provinces, with strong winds and waves reaching up to three meters in the Gulf of Thailand. Relief and recovery efforts are ongoing as authorities work to meet the immediate needs of affected communities.
