SONGKHLA, Thailand – Severe flooding in Songkhla has affected more than 1.4 million residents across 16 districts, according to the Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command Center. As of November 30, officials reported extensive damage to homes, roads, and bridges after more than a week of monsoon-driven rainfall. More than 582,000 households have been impacted, over 43,000 people have evacuated, and the confirmed death toll has risen to at least 138.
Hat Yai district remains the most severely affected area, with more than 226,000 households and 406,000 residents experiencing major disruption. Thirteen shelters are housing more than 10,500 evacuees, and ten field hospitals have been set up in schools, government offices, and open spaces to support medical needs. Helicopters have flown more than 50 supply and evacuation missions to reach neighborhoods cut off by high water.
Humanitarian assistance continues to be provided by government agencies, private organizations, and volunteer networks. Officials report distributing more than 178,000 relief bags, 886,000 meal boxes, 1.3 million bottles of drinking water, and more than 34,000 sets of medicine. Royal mobile kitchens and military field kitchens operate daily, and more than 50 Fix It Centers provide free repairs for damaged vehicles and appliances.
Infrastructure recovery is progressing across Hat Yai and the surrounding districts. Power outages initially affected more than 176,000 service points, and electricity has now been restored to over 90 percent of locations. Tap water service has returned to 60 percent capacity, and clean-water deliveries continue where systems remain offline. Telecommunications networks have recovered to roughly 85 percent of normal operations. Agricultural losses remain substantial, and compensation and rehabilitation assessments are ongoing.
Rainfall is expected to ease through early December, though authorities remain concerned about persistent flooding along the Sathing Phra Peninsula, where elevated water levels in Songkhla Lake continue to inundate communities. Several districts still have standing water, and emergency crews and volunteers continue round-the-clock operations to restore public areas and assist residents as conditions gradually improve. (NNT)
