Thailand authorities are making preparations to fly helicopters on Wednesday to rescue the most severely ill patients in a big south hospital in the country where the disaster has already led to the death of 33 people. Floods are said to be some of the worst experienced in years, and the Thailand and Malaysia neighbouring countries have had numerous provinces and states submerged, almost forcing nearly 45,000 inhabitants out of their homes.
Severe floods and landslides have hit Indonesia this week and have claimed between 8 and 13 lives and Malaysia has registered at least one casualty due to the current catastrophe.
The city of Hat Yai, the worst hit in Thailand, has been forced to make ends meet after the first floor of its main government hospital that deals with almost 600 patients and almost 50 others in the intensive care ward were flooded. Somrerk Chungsaman, the official of the public health, reported that a supply of food would be delivered by helicopters, and all ICU patients would be airdropped on Wednesday. Approximately 2,000 individuals such as patients, their families, and employees are still trapped in the hospital facility.
The rescue operation has proved to be difficult. Although the police already sent 20 helicopters and 200 boats, the government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat has failed to reach out to people trapped by the quickly spreading waters. There are relief boats which can now carry with them some essential supplies as waters start to ebb gradually.
Last week Hat Yai felled 335 mm (13 inches) in one day–the greatest amount of precipitation it has ever had in three centuries. There are also military helicopters in the delivery of generators to the hospital, and the navy has been posting photos of equipment being dropped on the roof in stormy weather.
The interior ministry of Thailand indicated that floods in the nine affected provinces have affected over 980,000 households and over 2.7 million people. According to weather officials, there are likely to be more heavy rain and scattered thunderstorms in some of the southern provinces such as Songkhla.
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