Water Levels Drop in Three Southern Provinces, But Flood Crisis Persists
After several rain-soaked days, the first hints of relief are appearing in parts of southern Thailand even as floodwaters persist and people remain stranded in many communities. Unprecedented rainfall overwhelmed canals and roads from November 19 to 21, leaving a complex mix of receding currents and fresh inundations.
Shifting Tides in the Peninsula
In the early hours of Thursday, authorities confirmed that flood levels have begun to drop in Surat Thani, Phatthalung and Songkhla, offering much-needed respite after the worst of the deluge. Elsewhere, the situation remains critical: Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Satun, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat continue to see rivers and tributaries breaching their banks. In hard-hit Hat Yai, markets and clinics still sit in chest-high water despite gradual drainage efforts.
A Downpour for the Records
Meteorological data from the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency show Hat Yai endured 630 mm of rain over three days—a volume never before recorded in the city’s history and far exceeding the previous high of 428 mm in 2010. The monsoon trough, enhanced by a low-pressure system, funneled moisture across the Malay Peninsula before intensifying into a tropical cyclone that swept over Sumatra, leaving at least 28 dead there.
Communities on the Edge
Government spokespeople report 33 flood-related fatalities in seven southern provinces, citing drownings, landslides and electrocution as leading causes. In neighbourhoods around Hat Yai, families still wade through murky water in search of supplies. Many residents say they have gone days without fresh food, cut off by submerged access roads and stalled relief convoys.
Mobilising Pumps and Personnel
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, backed by the Office of National Water Resources, has deployed high-capacity pumps and heavy machinery from central regions to accelerate drainage. Khlong U-Tapao in Hat Yai remains 20–27 cm above its banks, but officials are optimistic that canal levels will fall below flood stage by Friday. Deputy Interior Minister Sakda Vicheansil emphasised that coordination between the Royal Irrigation Department and local administrations is crucial to clear debris and restore flow.
Glimmers of Hope Beyond the South
In northern provinces such as Phitsanulok and Nakhon Sawan, overflowing waterways have already begun to retreat, easing pressure on farming communities. The Central Plains also report declining inundation in districts across Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi and Nakhon Pathom, where residents are now focusing on repairs.
Preparing for What’s Next
Weather forecasts suggest the main storm band has shifted toward the Strait of Malacca, though light to moderate showers may linger in the south over the next 48 hours. Authorities urge those in low-lying districts to stay alert for rapid rises in water levels, particularly during high tide. Local emergency centres are standing by with sandbags and medical teams, while food-delivery boats continue to serve isolated communities.
As floodwaters slowly ebb in some areas, the southern provinces face the twin challenges of rebuilding infrastructure and strengthening defences before the next monsoon surge. For residents, the immediate priority remains securing clean water and restoring daily routines. But the scale of this event has reignited debate over long-term water management, canal dredging and urban planning—issues that communities and policymakers must address if Thailand is to weather future downpours with greater resilience.