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The Situation
Continuous heavy rains, that started pouring on 1 January 2017, have caused widespread flooding across 12 provinces in southern Thailand, killing dozens of people and leaving a trail of destruction. The affected provinces are Chumphon, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwas, Pattani, Phatthalung, Prachaub Khirikhan, Ranong, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Trang and Yala.
According to an update issued by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) on 16 January, 44 people have been confirmed dead as a result of the floods, with two missing. The floods have forced thousands of people to evacuate to safer places. In some areas, such as Nakorn Sri Thammarat province, many villages have been isolated and are only accessible by boat.
In all, it is estimated that more than 1.6 million people have been affected by the floods and over 531,911 houses have been damaged. The floods have also damaged or destroyed infrastructure such as roads, bridges and drainage ditches.
The national authorities have mobilized personnel and resources from various ministries, agencies, provincial and local governments to provide immediate assistance to affected in the floods areas. On Saturday, 7 January, the central government released THB 50 million (CHF 1.4 million) to each affected province for the emergency phase, with priorities identified as evacuation, search and rescue (lifesaving), provision of immediate assistance (including water and food) in all affected areas, draining of floodwater (to the ocean) and immediate repair of critical infrastructure.
Meantime, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has indicated that the situation remains manageable and as such international support is not required. The National Disaster Emergency Command Center (NDECC), along with the Ministry of Interior (which DDPM is part of), is leading coordination of the humanitarian operations. Thai Red Cross Society (TRCS) is working closely with the authorities to deliver assistance in affected areas.