Deadly floods triggered by intense rainfall have wreaked havoc across Southeast Asia, damaging crops, displacing communities, and stranding tourists. Meteorologists warn that the heavy downpours are expected to continue into early next week, heightening concerns for already vulnerable areas.
In southern Thailand, flooding has claimed at least 13 lives and inundated approximately 800,000 households, as well as key agricultural zones producing rubber and palm oil. In Peninsular Malaysia, more than 16,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes, while in Central Vietnam, 90 lives have been lost and extensive damage reported.
Although heavy rain is typical during the northeast monsoon, the intensity and scale of this year’s flooding have been particularly severe. According to the US Climate Prediction Center, wetter-than-average conditions are likely to persist through next week across the region, including the Philippines, which is still recovering from a series of recent typhoons.
Thailand’s hardest-hit area is Hat Yai district in Songkhla province, a major commercial hub and southern transport gateway. Popular among Malaysian visitors, Hat Yai is also home to one of Thailand’s six international airports operated by Airports of Thailand Pcl, the country’s largest operator.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters on Tuesday, “Our military is urgently deploying aircraft, trucks, ships and other vehicles to flood-affected areas. Water pumps, food supplies, essential goods and financial resources are already being directed to these regions.” He added that he had cancelled a planned visit to Malaysia on Wednesday to personally oversee relief efforts.
Over 4,000 Malaysian tourists are stranded in hotels and at Hat Yai airport, and inbound travel from Malaysia to southern Thailand is expected to be cancelled this week. Meanwhile, the Malaysian state of Kelantan has also been heavily affected by the ongoing rains.
In Central Vietnam, rescue and recovery operations continue in four provinces severely affected by the floods, with economic losses estimated at more than 13 trillion dong (approximately $493 million).