82 People Died Due To Bad Flood Thailand

JAKARTA - The death toll from severe flooding in southern Thailand increased to 82 as floodwaters receded on Thursday.

About 1 million households and more than 3 million residents were affected by flooding triggered by heavy rains in 12 provinces in the south, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation on Thursday, November 27.

Floods that began on weekends submerged large areas and caused death in the provinces of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Patthalung, Songkhla, Trang, Satun, Pattani, and Yala. Flood water has receded in many provinces on Thursday morning, but water levels are still high in some areas including Pattani and Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Reported by the Associated Press, the spokesman for the Siripong Angkasakulkiat government said the flood-related death rate in Songkhla province jumped from six to 55 on Thursday, bringing the death toll in seven provinces to 82.

Officials estimate the water level will recede below the riverbanks in each affected area at night.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul earlier this week declared a state of emergency in Songkhla, which includes the largest city in southern Thailand, Hat Yai, citing "unprecedented flood severity".

Video footage shows water levels in Hat Yai had declined on Thursday, showing widespread damage across the city.

Floods caused severe disruption, causing thousands of people to be trapped. Electricity and water supply was cut off and communication lines were cut off in many areas.

Eight field hospitals were established to support Hat Yai Hospital, which is still unable to operate at full capacity, according to the Ministry of Public Health.

The ministry said 20 critical patients had been evacuated by air on Thursday and additional food supplies had been delivered to medical staff and remaining patients.