Death toll rises to 12 in worst floods in decades in Thailand and Malaysia

BANGKOK. The death toll from the worst floods in decades in southern Thailand and northern Malaysia rose to at least 12 on Saturday, authorities said, as tens of thousands of people were evacuated due to rising water levels over the past three days.

Flooding in southern Thailand has affected nearly 534,000 households, with the death toll rising to nine from the four reported on Friday and leaving thousands of people in 200 temporary shelters that have been set up in affected areas, the Department of natural disaster prevention and mitigation.

The Chan district of Songkhla province was hit by the worst flood in 50 years. In the video, people are seen being carried out in trucks from their houses submerged by the flow of flood water.

Another video shows rescuers in Sateng Nok district of Yala province carrying a child from the roof of a house hit by floods on Saturday.

In neighboring Malaysia, flooding has affected nearly 139,000 people in nine states, killing three as of Friday, according to the National Disaster Management Center.

Thailand’s Meteorological Department said more rain could be expected in some areas in southern Thailand on Saturday and warned of further flash flooding in affected areas.

Six typhoons hit the neighboring Philippines in just one month in November, causing massive destruction. Reuters