Thailand submerged: 33 dead, cities fleeing, and people stranded on cables to escape record floods.

Thailand is facing one of the worst waves of severe weather in decades. Torrential rains, flash floods, and landslides are devastating large areas of the south of the country, submerging cities, paralyzing transportation, and causing a serious humanitarian emergency that affects more than 2,7 million peopleThe death toll, initially set at 13, quickly rose to 33 dead, while thousands of displaced people seek refuge in the few structures still accessible.

Hat Yai, the heart of the emergency: streets like rivers and people on cables to escape the floodwaters.

The most critical situation is in the large city of Hat Yaic, in the southern province of Songkhla, completely overwhelmed by exceptional rainfall. In a single day last week, 335mm of rain, the highest level of the last , according to the Thai Meteorological Department.

The images that arrived on social media and were relaunched by local media show apocalyptic scenes: people forced to climb on electrical cables Suspended above streets transformed into rivers, cars completely submerged, buildings engulfed in water and mud. Even the city's public hospital, which houses 600 patients—about 50 of whom are in intensive care—saw its first floor completely flooded and cut off, making access by land impossible.

Many tourists, especially from Malaysia and Singapore, were stranded in hotels in the centre: in addition 7.000 Guests they are isolated.

Nine provinces on their knees: nearly a million homes damaged

Thailand's Ministry of the Interior confirms that nine provinces The following were affected by the floods: Songkhla, Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Trang, Satun and Surat Thani.

The balance is impressive:

• 980.000 homes hit or damaged

• 2,7 million people affected by the emergency

• 1.200 evacuees only in Songkhla in the last few days

• entire communities without electricity and drinking water

Precipitation will continue at least until Sunday, keeping the risk of flash floods, landslides and mudslides.

Rescuers in distress: Army mobilized, ships used as hospitals

To manage the emergency, the government has declared the state of disaster for Songkhla province and has mobilized extraordinary resources including 20 helicopters, 200 boats, 14 military ships, some intended to serve as floating hospitals, amphibious vehicles, jet skis and special trucks

Despite this, operations remain complex: government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat explained that the height of the water and the strong currents make it difficult to reach the most inland areas and isolated villages.

An exceptional phenomenon: ocean oscillations and the impact of climate change

Scientists confirm that the event is exceptional and not comparable to the usual monsoon rains. Contributing to the gravity of the situation was a rare oscillation of ocean surface temperatures, which further increased rainfall

Then, the progressive is added vulnerability of the territory due to climate change, with infrastructure and drainage systems unable to absorb increasingly extreme weather events.

Disasters also hit Indonesia and Malaysia: the Southeast Asian region is on its knees.

The wave of bad weather is not limited to Thailand. Malaysian authorities have evacuated about 45.000 people, while in Indonesia – particularly on the island of Sumatra — the floods caused at least 10 dead, 6 missing and devastated entire villages.

In the Indonesian town of Sibolga, rescuers are working tirelessly amid mud, uprooted trees, and landslides. Images show rooftops lapped by water and streets transformed into raging torrents.

To further complicate the situation, in the northern area of ​​the island there has been a 4.5 magnitude earthquake, while in the previous month an earthquake of 6.6 had already hit West Papua.

A humanitarian crisis destined to last

Forecasts indicate that the rains will start to decrease in a few days, but according to experts Hat Yai could remain partially submerged until mid-DecemberWith millions of people still without transportation, food, or electricity, the country faces one of the worst climate emergencies in its recent history.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul instructed the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces to coordinate the relief efforts and asked the population to carefully follow official communications, since until 70% of the southern territory It could still be hit by very heavy rains and sudden rises in water levels.