Thailand declares state of emergency in southern province due to floods

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul declared a state of emergency in Songkhla province on Tuesday as severe flooding ravaged the southern region.

The announcement came as the government established a specialized command center to coordinate rescue operations in response to unprecedented rainfall and flooding, which has caused widespread property damage and poses a critical threat to public safety.

According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, the monsoon-driven floods have impacted nine provinces in Thailand's southern region, specifically, affecting approximately 2.20 million people and resulting in 13 deaths across the provinces.

The Thai Meteorological Department has issued warnings that a strong northeast monsoon and an intense low-pressure cell covering the country's lower southern region and Malaysia are expected to bring continued heavy rainfall, significantly increasing the risk of flash floods and runoff from mountain slopes.