Rescuers scramble to reach stranded residents

Severe flash flooding has paralyzed the southern Thai district of Hat Yai, leaving hundreds of residents stranded, many confined to the second floors of their homes for up to three days, as continuous heavy rain and poor drainage overwhelm the area.

The inner-city area of Hat Yai has been completely cut off, with water levels rising so rapidly that local reports indicate some spots are entirely submerged, reaching above the rooftops of single-story structures.

The deluge is a result of sustained local rainfall, compounded by water runoff from nearby mountains and floodwater flowing in from northern districts. Volunteer relief teams, equipped with motorized flat-bottom boats and jet skis, are struggling to navigate the swirling floodwaters to evacuate the trapped population.