Imagine waking up to a world submerged in water, where once familiar streets have transformed into winding rivers, and the sanctity of home is breached by the relentless surge of floodwaters. This has been the grim reality for nearly 100,000 families across the picturesque provinces of Pattani, Narathiwat, and Yala. These resilient souls are currently engaged in an uphill battle to reclaim their lives as the tumultuous floods start to recede, revealing the full extent of their devastation.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has become a beacon of hope amidst the chaos, announcing that the deluge which has gripped the three southernmost sisters of Thailand is slowly but surely abating. The collective sigh of relief, however, is faint, as 93,220 households continue to stagger under the weight of the aftermath in 25 beleaguered districts.
At the helm of the recovery operations, Chaiyawat Junthirapong, the stalwart director-general of the DDPM, is orchestrating a symphony of support, working hand-in-hand with local authorities to stitch back the fabric of the affected communities. The tireless efforts are focused on the areas where the muddy grips of the flood have loosened, giving back patches of dry land to the weary residents.
The cause of this aquatic invasion? A mighty northeast monsoon that set its stormy stage across the region, unleashing a relentless downpour from December 22nd to December 28th. Pattani, along with its neighbours Satun, Songkhla, Yala, and Narathiwat, found itself at the mercy of the monsoon’s mood, peaking in calamity last week and submerging vast expanses in a watery grasp across 34 districts.
In particular, Pattani bore the brunt of the monsoon’s rage, suffering its severest flood in half a century. Families were caught in a watery sneak attack as flash floods transformed their abodes overnight. Tales of narrow escapes abound, with residents braving waist-high waters or seeking refuge on rooftops, eagerly awaiting the embrace of rescue boats.
Even as we speak, the quaint townships of Tabing, Lahan, and Pase Yawo in Sai Buri district bear witness to floodwaters that stand rebelliously at three metres in certain nostalgia-soaked areas. Elsewhere, the district of Muang has its own story of sorrow, as waterways, overwhelmed and breached, unleashed torrents that were hurriedly herded towards the sea.
The DDPM reports that this aquatic onslaught has left homes shattered and roads in tatters, upending life as it was known. Sadly, the flood narrative in Narathiwat still unfolds with 13 districts ensnared by the floods, and the heart-wrenching tale of an eight-year-old swept into uncertainty. Tragically, the floods have claimed seven lives, weaving sorrow into the fabric of the affected communities.
Amidst the ruin, help arrives in the form of flat-bottomed boats, a fleet of salvation steering through the newly minted waterways to reach stranded souls. Luckily for some, as the waters wane, they venture back to survey their domains, with officials in tow to estimate the scars left behind by the unwelcome waters.
Indeed, the aftermath of the floods leaves a stinging reminder of nature’s might, yet it is in the unwavering spirit of the Thai people that hope takes root, with communities joining forces to rebuild not just their homes, but their lives with fervent tenacity.
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