Floods and landslides triggered by Tropical Storm Wipha since last month have resulted in six deaths and affected over 230,000 people across Thailand, disaster management officials reported on Saturday.
Since 21 July, heavy rainfall has inundated 12 provinces, predominantly in the northern and central regions, according to Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.
“We are closely monitoring the effects of rainstorm Wipha and coordinating with the affected provinces to support those in need,” the agency stated on its official Facebook page.
Images circulating on social media depicted muddy floodwaters, sandbags piled outside homes, and residents using plastic boats to navigate submerged streets.
However, the country’s meteorological department forecasts that rainfall will subside in the coming days.
Although Thailand typically experiences annual monsoon rains between May and October, scientists warn that human-induced climate change is intensifying weather patterns, increasing the likelihood of severe flooding.
Widespread flooding in 2011 claimed over 500 lives and damaged millions of homes nationwide.