Thailand Floods: Navy Deploys Aircraft Carrier for Hat Yai Rescue Amid Public Outcry Over Aid Efforts

Thailand's South Drowns: Hat Yai Submerged as Navy Rushes Aid Amid Public Outcry

Southern Thailand is grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis as relentless monsoon rains, intensified by the La Niña climate pattern, have unleashed widespread devastation. The vibrant city of Hat Yai, a hub for approximately 200,000 residents and a popular getaway for Malaysian tourists, now lies entirely submerged, with floodwaters engulfing buildings up to their second and third stories. An estimated 2 million people across the region have been impacted by these catastrophic floods, which have also claimed lives in central Vietnam and Thailand and are now extending into Malaysia.

Desperate Calls for Rescue Echo from Stranded Residents

Heart-wrenching pleas for rescue have inundated social media channels from residents who have been trapped for days, cut off from essential supplies like fresh food, clean water, and electricity. Online images paint a grim picture: people huddled on rooftops, seeking shelter under umbrellas, while one particularly moving photograph shows a baby safely nestled on a woman’s chest, both in life jackets, being guided through the treacherous brown waters of Hat Yai. The urgency of their situation underscores the severity of the crisis.

Record Rainfall Engulfs Hat Yai

The province of Songkhla, where Hat Yai is located, has been officially declared a disaster zone. The situation dramatically worsened on Friday when Hat Yai experienced an unprecedented 13 inches (330mm) of rainfall in a single 24-hour period – marking the heaviest single-day rains ever recorded in the city's history. The continuous torrential downpours since then have ensured that the floodwaters show no signs of receding, transforming bustling streets into treacherous rivers and submerging even revered Buddhist temples.

Navy Deploys Aircraft Carrier Amid Criticisms

In a significant move to bolster relief efforts and in response to mounting public outcry regarding what many perceive as disorganized and inadequate aid, Thailand’s navy is deploying an aircraft carrier to the ravaged southern region. This substantial naval asset will play a crucial role in delivering much-needed meals and vital humanitarian aid to countless individuals stranded by the deluge. The government now faces intensified pressure to coordinate a more effective, swift, and comprehensive response to this escalating crisis that has left untold numbers of citizens in profound distress.