Khaberni - Thai authorities plan to send helicopters today, Wednesday, to evacuate critically ill patients from a hospital in the southern part of the country after they were stranded by the worst floods the region has seen in years, which resulted in the death toll rising to 33, with more rain expected.
The floods have swept through nine provinces in Thailand and eight states in neighboring Malaysia for the second consecutive year, prompting the two countries to evacuate nearly 45,000 people. In Indonesia, estimates indicate that between eight and thirteen people died following floods and landslides this week, and one person died in Malaysia as well.
A public health official in Hat Yai, the most affected city in Thailand, said that helicopters will transport food and patients after water flooded the first floor of the main government hospital treating 600 people, about 50 of whom are in intensive care.
Somrik Chungsaman told Reuters, "We will move all ICU patients from Hat Yai Hospital today," and the Ministry of Interior confirmed that the floods in nine Thai provinces, including Songkhla where Hat Yai is located, affected more than 2.7 million people and over 980,000 residences.
Weather experts in Thailand forecast scattered thunderstorms and heavy rain today, Wednesday, in several southern provinces, including Songkhla.
