BANGKOK, Thailand – The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) issued Cell Broadcast alerts across Southern Thailand on Friday (Nov 21) as heavy monsoon conditions continued to trigger widespread flooding. Seven provinces, including Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Phatthalung, Satun, and Songkhla, have been affected, with more than 123,000 households and over 359,000 residents impacted. Forecasters expect more heavy rain through November 23, prompting authorities to ramp up monitoring and deploy advance-response teams across high-risk areas.
DDPM Regional Centers in Surat Thani and Songkhla have positioned heavy machinery, mobile pumps, and rapid-response crews to support local operations. Provincial authorities have been instructed to issue public alerts the moment conditions worsen, declare disaster zones when necessary, and activate financial support mechanisms in accordance with the Ministry of Finance’s rules. Officials have also been asked to review emergency equipment across all districts to ensure uninterrupted operations during the next round of rain.
Conditions vary across the region. In Songkhla, six districts are dealing with flooding affecting more than 41,000 people, and temporary shelters are ready if evacuations expand. Phatthalung has declared Kong Ra district an emergency disaster zone, while Satun has launched evacuations amid warnings of flash floods and landslides. Narathiwat and Pattani have installed additional pumps to stabilize water flow and prevent further overflow in low-lying communities.
Infrastructure disruptions are adding pressure to the response. The State Railway of Thailand temporarily closed the Chong Khao–Ron Phibun section in Nakhon Si Thammarat after water rose above the tracks, prompting adjustments to six train services and the use of shuttle connections for affected passengers. Waterfall trails in the Khao Banthat Wildlife Sanctuary across four provinces have also been closed to protect visitors.
Military units and local agencies remain on standby, with the 15th Infantry Regiment supporting operations in multiple districts in Nakhon Si Thammarat. The DDPM urged residents to stay alert to official advisories, avoid walking through floodwater, assist vulnerable individuals, move valuables to higher ground, and evacuate immediately if instructed to do so. (NNT)
