The death toll from severe flooding in southern Thailand has hit 145, authorities said on Friday as water levels begin to recede and rescue operations continue.
During a press briefing, government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat said that fatalities have been reported across eight southern provinces, with Songkhla recording the highest toll at 110.
According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, the widespread southern flooding has affected an estimated 3.54 million people, even though water levels in several areas have receded.
Hat Yai, which is the worst-hit city, received the heaviest rainfall in years during an intense monsoon earlier this week, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency in Songkhla province to streamline evacuation and rescue efforts.
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Angkasakulkiat said that search and rescue efforts have become more successful as floodwaters started to recede further. Several reports had also shown that rescuers gained more access to residential areas that had previously been submerged under high water, and recovered more bodies, particularly in Hat Yai, the largest city in the south.
The Songkhla province recorded a sharp increase in the death toll after flooding began to subside.
The flooding caused severe disruption, leaving thousands of people stranded, rendering streets impassable and submerging low-rise buildings and vehicles.
The Meteorological Department said that rainfall has decreased in the south but warned of thunderstorms in some areas. Videos and photos from the affected areas on Friday show damaged roads, fallen power poles, household appliances and debris washed away by floodwaters piled along the streets.
Story was adapted from Aljazeera.
