BANGKOK, Dec 9 — Thailand is preparing for a second wave of heavy rain and potential flooding in its southern provinces this week, the authorities announced today.
Deputy Prime Minister cum Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) has received forecasts indicating continuous heavy to very heavy rainfall across Southern Thailand from December 12 to December 16.
The affected provinces include Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Ranong, Trang, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat.
Phumtham, who also the NDOC Director, said all government agencies have been instructed to coordinate efforts to assist the public and remain on high alert until conditions stabilise.
“A total of 4,254 personnel and 1,339 disaster relief units — including aircraft, water trucks, and transport boats — have been deployed to assist residents in affected areas. Operations will run 24/7 to provide immediate support," he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Deputy Government Spokesperson Sasikan Wattanachan said the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) has taken charge of restoring public spaces, including schools, temples, and mosques, in areas where floodwaters have subsided.
The initiative is being carried out in collaboration with the Department of Corrections under the Ministry of Justice to ensure a swift return to normalcy, she said.
"Additional support has been provided by vocational education institutions and provincial prisons, with SBPAC supplying equipment and logistical resources," she said.
On financial aid for flood victims, the NDOC has tasked the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) to work closely with local authorities and municipalities to assess damages and compile records to expedite financial assistance under the Ministry of Finance’s guidelines.
“Today, December 9, the DDPM will hold an online meeting to outline procedures for assisting flood victims in 16 provinces that have been declared disaster zones.
"This ensures that all agencies and field personnel follow proper protocols to deliver the THB 9,000 relief payments to affected residents as quickly as possible,” Sasikan said.
The recent severe flooding in southern Thailand, which began on November 22, has claimed 29 lives and forced the evacuation of over 100,000 households at its peak. The government has continued its relief and restoration efforts to support the affected communities.
— Bernama
