Thailand to airlift around 2,000 critically ill patients and hospital staff marooned by floods

Around 2,000 critically ill patients, staff and family are set to be airlifted from Hat Yai Hospital, in southern Thailand after being marooned by recent flooding on Friday (21 November) that killed at least 33 people.

Flooding has swept through nine provinces in Thailand for a second straight year, forcing nearly 45,000 people to flee their homes. 

In Hat Yai, the hardest-hit city, authorities say helicopters will remove all intensive-care patients from the main government hospital, where floodwaters have inundated the first floor. The facility is treating 600 patients, including about 50 in critical condition.

Efforts to reach stranded residents have been hampered, with 20 helicopters and 200 boats struggling against deep, fast-moving waters, government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat said.

Around 2,000 people — patients, staff and relatives — remain at the hospital. As waters begin to recede, boats should soon be able to bring in food supplies, according to Somrerk.

Hat Yai received 335 mm (13 inches) of rain on a single day last week — the heaviest in 300 years.

Military helicopters are delivering generators, according to the Thai Navy, which shared images of equipment lifted to the hospital rooftop under dark skies.

After Thai military assumed command of the relief operation on Tuesday, military helicopters began delivering generators, while convoys of trucks transported flat-bottomed boats, rubber dinghies, medical supplies and personnel to Hat Yai.

The country's sole aircraft carrier, Chakri Naruebet, departed its home port the same day to deliver air support, medical aid and food for the rescue effort, the Thai navy reported.

Nationwide, more than 980,000 homes and 2.7 million people have been affected across nine southern provinces, including Songkhla, the interior ministry said.

Weather experts expect scattered thundershowers and heavy rain to continue on Wednesday in several southern regions.

Meanwhile, in Indonesia, between 8 and 13 people are feared dead after severe floods and landslides this week, while one death has been confirmed in Malaysia.

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Thailand Floods Natural Disaster Helicopter rescue operation malaysia Indonesia death toll Emergency Services