Hat yai: GISTDA analyzed the flooding situation in Hat Yai, Songkhla Province, and found that over 100,000 buildings were affected. The initial budget for building and home restoration may be as high as 1.2 billion baht.
According to Thai News Agency, following the massive flooding in Hat Yai Municipality, Songkhla Province, GISTDA's spatial analysis team monitored and processed satellite imagery data in conjunction with a three-dimensional (3D) water level model to assess the impacts in detail. The analysis indicated that many areas had water levels ranging from 1 meter to more than 4 meters high, particularly low-lying areas and densely populated areas, which were severely affected.
Data compiled from the geographic information system revealed that there were more than 102,520 houses in Hat Yai Municipality. Of these, 7,693 were completely flooded and 59,845 were partially flooded, reflecting the overall impact that was widespread throughout the city.
As for the damage assessment, GISTDA uses engineering and economic data to assess the actual cost of damage to buildings and contents within the home. Damage is determined by the depth of the floodwaters. Large appliances found in the water, such as TVs and refrigerators, could suffer damages as high as 6,990 - 18,000 baht. Furniture, bathrooms, and kitchens could cost between 6,000 - 9,900 baht.
In addition, structural repair costs for electrical, plumbing, flooring, walls, and other structural components are estimated to be between 3,000 and 10,000 baht. Average restoration costs per household, calculated based on the weight of damage, depth, and building type, range from 15,000 to 35,000 baht per household. Areas with flood depths exceeding 3 meters experience the greatest structural and electrical damage. Restoring homes in Hat Yai Municipality could require an additional budget of over 1.2 billion baht. Based on actual repair costs, calculating the estimated cost of over 100,000 affected homes suggests an additional budget of over 1.2 billion baht is needed to safely repair homes and return to normal life. These figures are not based on speculation, but are the result of spatial data, actual water levels, and systematically processed models based on scientific principles by GISTDA.