The sun barely broke through the clouds over Nakhon Si Thammarat as relentless rain continued to pour from the heavens since Tuesday. (Photo: Nujaree Rakrun) But, it wasn’t just the residents of this historic municipality who were scrambling for cover. Southern provinces hugging the Gulf of Thailand, along with their neighboring regions, found themselves battening down the hatches in the face of another ferocious bout of torrential rain expected to batter the coastline until at least Saturday.
In Songkhla’s Muang district, workers from the Royal Irrigation Department have been arduously extracting pile-ups of trash and debris from waterways, preparing for the looming threat of flooding. The skies have been weeping continuously, each droplet marking the arrival of yet another storm cell.
Not too far in Phatthalung, 11 districts have been sounded with urgent alerts from the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, cautioning locals about flash floods and runoff that could strike in the coming days. Meanwhile, excitement—or rather apprehensive caution—is palpable through the digital ether in Surat Thani. The provincial public relations office is flooding Facebook timelines with emergency contact numbers, while in Chumphon, officials diligently update weather bulletins, keeping residents informed and forewarned.
Narathiwat’s inhabitants aren’t spared from nature’s capricious whims either. With vivid warnings issued for sudden floods and landslides, nerves are understandably frayed. The Meteorological Department added yet another layer of suspense with advisories about tumultuous weather and choppy seas bearing down on 12 provinces nestled on either side of the southern peninsula.
As the Gulf endures the tempest’s fury, expected gales are foretold to usher rain, mercilessly pummeling coastal stretches. Even the Office of the National Water Resources weighed in, declaring rising concerns regarding the voluminous waters of the Pattani River coursing through Yala and Pattani provinces. The Kolok River’s levels, although still beneath the lofty banks in Sungai Kolok, are on an ominous upward trajectory.
Sungai Kolok is singled out as one of eight districts in Narathiwat under threat from deluge. The land downpour, especially noticeable here, is second only to the overarching rainfall blanketing Narathiwat within a 24-hour period, according to provincial data. Districts like Tak Bai, Muang in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ranot in Songkhla, and Sai Buri in Pattani nervously glance at the brooding skies, marked as high-risk zones.
Jirayu Huangsap, playing the vigilant aide to the nation’s premier, divulged on Thursday that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra harbors serious concerns over the unfolding scenario. The directive was clear: all agencies stationed throughout the southern region should brace for impact and possible floods.
On the other side of the international borderline, Malaysia tiptoes along a familiar tightrope. In Kelantan, particularly, the Malaysian National Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre gave a somber projection of nearly 20 villages on low-lying grounds near the Kolok River, staring down potential inundations according to a Thursday report by Bernama.
From Friday through Sunday, Malaysians and Thais alike are staring at a forecast riddled with unrelenting rain, thanks to a stubborn weather system refusing to budge since Tuesday. As the skies gather with heavy intent, tension grips the battered hearts of those watching the rivers rise, praying for relief and hoping against hope that this too shall pass.
This is getting scary. Climate change is making these weather events more intense!
But isn’t this just part of the natural cycle? These regions have always faced monsoons.
Natural cycle or not, human activity is definitely making it worse. There’s more rain and flooding than decades ago.
Exactly! And the destruction is increasing; people don’t realize that small changes in climate can have huge impacts.
I think the governments aren’t doing enough to prepare. Every year it’s the same panic.
Honestly, what else can they do? This is nature’s fury we’re talking about, not something that can be easily controlled.
Preparation and proactive measures can make a difference. Evacuation plans and better infrastructure could save lives.
Spot on, Tony. Many places around the world deal with storms much more efficiently. Learning from them could help.
Wow, this article makes it sound like a global catastrophe, but isn’t it just normal monsoon season?
It is monsoon season, but the frequency and severity of these events seem to be ramping up, don’t you think?
If you lived there, you’d probably feel differently. These storms destroy homes and livelihoods.
I get that, but media tends to sensationalize events. It’s hard to find balanced reporting these days.
Here’s an idea, stop building on floodplains and maybe less people would get affected when it floods. Common sense, right?
Easier said than done. People live where they can afford or where they have historical or cultural ties. Moving isn’t always an option.
True, but governments need to plan better and enforce regulations for safer building practices.
Exactly, it’s not just physical displacement. It’s about losing entire ways of life that have been established for generations.
What are the economic impacts of these continuous floods on the local economies? Must be devastating!
The long-term damage is huge. Agriculture suffers, infrastructure needs constant repairs, and tourism definitely takes a hit. It’s a vicious cycle.
Feels like there should be more international assistance. After all, climate change is a global problem.
I’ve read that animals get affected too. What happens to them during floods?
Good point! Habitat destruction forces them into unfamiliar zones, which could lead to more exposure to human-related dangers.
That’s sad. I wish there were more efforts to protect wildlife during these disasters.
The government should prioritize education on emergency preparedness. Awareness can lead to safety even during severe weather.
Education is key, but there’s also a need for resources to implement safety protocols effectively.
Isn’t technology advanced enough to predict these events better and mitigate risks?
Tech has its limits! While forecasts can predict general trends, predicting exact locations and intensities is still tricky.
I grow crops there, and I can tell you firsthand that these rains are destroying our harvests.
That’s tough. Are there any government compensations or insurance for situations like this?
Sadly, it’s not enough to cover the losses. Farming is always a risk, but this isn’t sustainable.
Everyone saying we need more action from the government, but what about personal responsibility? People need to prepare too!
This is why I argue for global emergency funds. Countries affected by climate disasters need instant access to resources.
With the severity increasing, I wonder when people will start migrating permanently to safer areas.
Every flood brings a reminder of how small we are against nature. Not sure if we’ll ever fully adapt to such weather extremes.
All this talk about flooding reminds me to double-check my travel plans to southeast Asia. Who knew weather could be such a party pooper?