Nine people die in flooding in Thailand and thousands are displaced

BANGKOK: Floods caused by heavy rains in southern Thailand have killed nine people and displaced more than 13,000, officials said on Saturday, as rescue teams worked with boats and jet skis to reach stranded residents.

Local media footage showed residents wading through murky, chest-deep water and cars submerged in flooded streets.

“Floods in eight provinces in southern Thailand affected 553,921 households and killed nine people, prompting authorities to mobilize urgent assistance,” the country’s disaster management agency said on its official Facebook page.

More than 13,000 people were forced to leave their homes and emergency shelters were set up in schools and temples, it said.

Nampa, a resident of coastal Songkhla province, told state broadcaster Thai PBS she was worried about dwindling food supplies.

“We are fine now, but I am not sure how long we can stay in this state,” she said.

Two hospitals in nearby Pattani province suspended operations to prevent floods from damaging medical facilities.