Four provinces in Southern Thailand, namely Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat are experiencing heavy rain and severe floods. Many roads are forced to close as the flood keeps worsening, ravaging houses and public facilities. Water level in some areas in Hadyai, Songkhla is exceeding 1.5 meters, affecting residents as their homes are submerged. Yala is the hardest-hit province as the residents are facing the worst flooding in two decades. The Thai Meteorological Department forecasts the Southern provinces particularly in the eastern area will continue to receive heavy rains throughout the week driven by the strong northeastern monsoon. IRCo foresees the downpours and floods force the farmers and tappers to halt their tapping activities and the surging floodwaters have been affecting transportation of rubber to collection centres and factories. IRCo expects that it is most likely the rubber supply will be limited as the rains keep pouring, preventing tapping.

Source: Bangkok Post, 28 November 2024