February 26, 2013 — Torrential rain and severe floods are impacting several communities in southern Thailand.
Days of heavy rains have caused severe flooding in Phattalung, a major rice producing province of the south.
Over 5,000 households in five districts in Phattalung have been affected with some villages cut off due to flooded highways.
The provincial disaster mitigation office has sent officials to assess the damage and supply relief aid to the victims.
Low-lying areas in 36 villages are threatened with upstream water as flooding spread on Tuesday.
Authorities in the country's south have warned people of flash floods following two consecutive days of heavy rains.
Several national parks and recreational facilities in the Sankalakhiri Ridge have been closed.
Residents living in at-risk areas have been ordered to brace for possible flashfloods and be ready to move to higher ground as heavy rains have caused rivers to overflow.
In Narathiwat province, continued downpours have caused the Sungai Kolok River to overflow forcing people in Sungai Kolok municipality to evacuate to higher ground.
Highways linking the district and Tak Bai are impassable because of 40 centimetre deep water.
The victims have also been forced to move their vehicles and valuables to the roadside and higher grounds.
Traffic police set up a checkpoint to inform motorists to avoid the flooded areas.