Southern Thailand faces catastrophic flooding, killing 33 people, forcing military helicopter and ship deployments for emergency rescues, the BBC reported. Hat Yai, a business hub near Malaysia, recorded 335 millimeters (13.2 inches) of rain in one day – the heaviest downpour in 300 years.
The crisis has devastated 10 southern provinces over seven days. Photos show submerged cars and homes with frantic residents stranded on rooftops awaiting evacuation. Regional devastation expanded dramatically: Vietnam reports 98 deaths over one week, Malaysia evacuated 19,000+ residents, the BBC reported. Indonesia confirmed 19 fatalities with seven people still buried under North Sumatra landslides, rescue officials stated.
Over 2 million Thais were affected by floods, yet only 13,000 reached shelters. The vast majority remain cut off from assistance, according to Reuters. Thailand's military is deploying an aircraft carrier, 14 supply boats, and field kitchens producing 3,000 daily meals.
Medical teams will convert the carrier into a "floating hospital" if needed, according to the Navy. Songkhla's governor reported deploying boats, elevated trucks, and jet skis for evacuations. The Cabinet declared Songkhla a disaster zone on Tuesday, unlocking relief funds.
Matchima Rescue Center told Reuters it received thousands of distress calls in three days from people seeking evacuation. Urgent appeals flooded Matchima's Facebook: "Many people are trapped... Please help," one user wrote.
Multiple posts described going days without food or water. Viral footage shows three boys clinging to power cables, inching toward safety as murky brown floodwaters rise below them.
Southeast Asia typically experiences heavy seasonal rainfall, but this year's flooding has been exceptionally severe across the region.
