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Thailand Battles Deadliest Floods in Decades as Military Mobilizes
Record floods across southern Thailand have killed at least 33 people, displaced thousands, and forced the military to deploy an aircraft carrier, helicopters, and a fleet of relief boats to reach stranded residents, authorities confirmed Wednesday.
The disaster has engulfed ten provinces over the past week, with Hat Yai-a key business hub near the Malaysian border-recording its heaviest single-day rainfall in 300 years (335 mm on Monday). Dramatic images show submerged vehicles, inundated homes, and residents trapped on rooftops awaiting rescue.
Regional Crisis Worsens as Neighboring Nations Struggle
The deluge extends beyond Thailand, devastating parts of Southeast Asia. In Vietnam, flood-related deaths surged to 98 in one week, while Malaysia reported over 19,000 displaced after rivers overflowed in northern states like Kelantan and Perlis. Rescue teams there waded through knee-deep waters to evacuate cut-off communities, with 126 emergency shelters now operational.
Thailand's disaster has left over 2 million affected, though only 13,000 have reached government shelters, according to Reuters. The majority remain isolated, with roads submerged and communication lines severed.
Military Launches 'Floating Hospital' and Mass Evacuations
The Thai military, now leading relief operations, announced plans to dispatch an aircraft carrier equipped with medical teams-ready to function as a "floating hospital"-alongside 14 supply boats and field kitchens capable of producing 3,000 daily meals. High-clearance trucks, jet skis, and helicopters are also ferrying residents to safety in Songkhla province, where Hat Yai is located.
On Tuesday, the cabinet declared Songkhla a disaster zone, unlocking emergency funds. Yet gaps persist: the Matchima Rescue Center, a volunteer group, told Reuters it had received thousands of distress calls in 72 hours, with social media pleas surging. One Facebook post read: "The water has reached the second floor-children, elderly, and sick are trapped. Please help!" Another user described waiting three days without food or water, their phone battery at 40%.
Desperation Captured in Viral Footage
A widely shared video shows three boys clinging to power lines above raging brown floodwaters, inching toward safety as currents swell below. The clip underscores the urgency of evacuations, with many areas still inaccessible to ground crews.
Volunteers Overwhelmed as Officials Warn of Prolonged Crisis
Local rescue teams report being "completely overwhelmed" by the scale of need. "Every second counts," one volunteer told Reuters, describing families stranded for days without supplies. Meteorologists warn that heavy rains may persist, raising fears of further displacement and infrastructure collapse.
In Malaysia, evacuation efforts continue in border states, where floodwaters have severed road links. Vietnamese authorities, meanwhile, are grappling with the highest death toll in the region, as landslides and flash floods compound the damage.
"Supplies are running critically low. We're prioritizing the most vulnerable, but the sheer number of calls is unprecedented."
Matchima Rescue Center volunteer, speaking to Reuters
