Southern Thailand declared disaster zone as deadly floods swamp Songkhla

Thailand has declared its southern Songkhla province a disaster zone after relentless rainfall triggered severe flooding, leaving at least 33 people dead and thousands stranded.

Floodwaters reached up to 2 metres in some areas, following an extraordinary 335mm of rain that hit Hat Yai district in a single day on Friday, the heaviest daily rainfall recorded there in three centuries.

“Authorities say 33 people have died across seven provinces, with causes including flash floods, electrocution and drowning,” Thai government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat told reporters.

Around 150,000 people were trapped by rising waters in Hat Yai, according to climate expert Seree Supratid, who said the scale of disruption had overwhelmed local response systems.

The Bangkok Post reported that Thailand’s cabinet formally declared Songkhla a disaster zone to unlock emergency funding, as heavy rains continued to paralyse large parts of the south. Across nine provinces, around 2.1 million people have been affected, with 13,000 moved into shelters and many others cut off from aid, Reuters reported.

The Thai military has moved in to bolster rescue efforts, deploying a C-130 cargo plane loaded with food, medicine and water, 14 rubber boats, and the aircraft carrier Chakri Naruebet, equipped with helicopters, doctors and mobile kitchens capable of preparing 3,000 meals per day.

“The fleet is ready to deliver forces and carry out actions as the Royal Navy orders,” the military said, adding that the carrier could operate as a floating hospital.

Emergency responders say they are stretched to breaking point.

“Calls have been coming in non-stop in the last three days, in the thousands, asking to be evacuated and others for food,” a volunteer from Hat Yai’s Matchima rescue group said.

Social media has become a real-time distress channel.

“Water is on the second floor now,” wrote Pingojung Ping, one of six people trapped, including two elderly residents. “Pray. Please help.”

Another stranded resident, The Hong Tep, posted:

“We are five people and a small child without rice and water. Phone reception has been cut – water is rising fast.”

The floods are also disrupting Thailand’s rubber industry, a key global supplier. Hundreds of factories have been submerged, and at least 17 power plants have gone offline, Industry Minister Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana confirmed.