Thailand submerged by record rains, at least 33 dead: it is the worst flood in the last 300 years

In recent weeks, Southeast Asia has found itself facing a series of exceptional meteorological events that have brought entire communities to their knees in Thailand, Indonesia and parts of Malaysia. In southern Thailand, particularly in the province of Songkhla, there was what the authorities define as the worst flood in the last 300 years, with 335 mm of rain falling in a single day on the city of Hat Yai. The water submerged houses, hospitals and entire roads, leaving much of the population stranded and without escape routes.

The dramatic toll

According to local authorities, there are at least 33 confirmed victims and over 2 million people are affected by the emergency, including displaced people, evacuees or citizens left isolated. In the city of Hat Yai, the main public hospital was completely flooded and around 600 patients had to be transferred or cared for in extremely difficult conditions. The government declared Songkhla a “disaster area”, setting in motion a vast relief operation.

Difficulties in rescue

The army, the Navy and a fleet of 14 military ships have been mobilized and are operating as aid centers and, if necessary, as actual floating hospitals. The rescue teams were also supported by helicopters and amphibious vehicles, essential to reach the completely submerged areas. Although some territories show a slow retreat of the waters, strong currents continue to make operations dangerous and difficult.

Indonesia: landslides and villages overwhelmed

The picture does not improve in Indonesia, where monsoon rains have devastated the island of Sumatra. Here, violent landslides have swept away hilly villages, destroying homes, fields and infrastructure. There were at least 10 dead, several injured and numerous people missing, while over 2,000 buildings were damaged or submerged in mud. The search operations are made even more complicated by the unstable terrain and the continuous rain.

The causes of these exceptional phenomena

The scientists explain that the intensity of the precipitation was amplified by the combination of La Niña and a strong oscillation in ocean temperatures, a rare phenomenon that exasperated the effects of the monsoon. In Thailand as in Indonesia, the fragility of infrastructure and limited response capacity make the impact of these events even more devastating.

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