Thailand said on November 25 that it was preparing to send the Chakri Naruebet aircraft carrier, relief goods and medical teams to the south, where heavy rains exacerbated the worst flood in years, killing 13 people and hampering rescue work.
Floodwaters rose to 2m in some areas, affecting 9 provinces of Thailand and many states in Malaysia. The Thai Navy said it is mobilizing 14 ships along with helicopters, doctors, supplies and battle tanks capable of providing 3,000 meals per day, while emphasizing that the aircraft carrier can operate as a floating hospital.
Floods have affected about 1.9 million people as the meteorological agency forecasts prolonged heavy rain and recommends that small ships not go out to sea due to waves higher than 3m.
In Hat Yai, Thailand's fifth largest city and a rubber trading hub, rescue workers said they have received thousands of calls in the past three days asking for evacuation and food assistance.
The city recorded 335mm of rainfall in one day, the highest in three centuries. Television images show floodwaters overflowing the streets, submerging vehicles and interrupting communication, while many people have to cling to floating objects to move, while rescue boats take people to safety.
In Malaysia, more than 18,500 people have been evacuated from flooded areas to 126 evacuation centers, mainly in states bordering Thailand. In Perlis, rescue forces flooded into a house, while rescue boats took the elderly to shelter. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim affirmed that people's safety is a priority and asked the authorities to provide maximum support to the affected communities, and called for compliance with evacuation orders.
