Phumtham Orders Immediate Mobilization to Aid Southern Provinces Hit by Flooding.

Bangkok: "Phumtham" has directed the NCPO to deploy immediate assistance to four southern provinces in response to severe flooding, mandating hourly situation reports even after the rain ceases. Ms. Sasikarn Wattanachan, Deputy Government Spokesperson, announced that Mr. Phumtham Vejjayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, acting as Director of the CPOC, issued new directives for the Southern Frontline CPOC to assist Songkhla, Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat, the provinces severely impacted by recent heavy rainfall. According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Sasikarn detailed the urgent need for resources such as flat-bottomed boats, jet skis, high-lift trucks, and dried food. In response, the Ministry of Defense and the Marine Department have been tasked with supplying these essential items to facilitate the relocation of residents to shelters. Additionally, the Royal Irrigation Department is deploying water pumps, water pushers, and other machinery to expedite water drainage. The Department of Disast er Prevention and Mitigation, supported by volunteers, is actively distributing relief bags and dried food to the affected regions. The CPOC is maintaining continuous surveillance of the situation and has disseminated warnings through various channels, including the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and other relevant bodies. The Public Relations Department is coordinating information dissemination to minimize damage. Furthermore, the Provincial Electricity Authority has halted water release from the Bang Lang Dam since November 27 to mitigate downstream effects. The Ministry of Transport is assessing and repairing damaged travel routes to restore safe travel conditions, including railway inspections for potential landslide impacts. In the healthcare sector, measures are being taken to protect hospitals and ensure the transfer of vulnerable patients to nearby facilities for uninterrupted care. Ms. Sasikarn emphasized the government's commitment to assisting those affected, stating that under the Prime Minister's leadership, all government agencies have been mobilized to address the crisis swiftly, aiming to restore normalcy as soon as possible. The CPOC, in collaboration with local governors, will continue providing necessary support until the situation stabilizes.