Heavy flooding continues in Thailand

Surat Thani is one 10 provinces that have been submerged, with many districts now declared disaster zones [Reuters]

The unseasonably wet weather across southern Thailand has now claimed at least 40 lives, according to officials in the country.

The floods continue to deluge the homes and businesses of around two million people in what is supposed to be one of the hottest months of the year.

On Saturday, thousands of people were forced to move into temporary shelters and the military had to aid in the evacuation of those most at risk.

The flood waters are still more than two metres deep in some places despite the fact that the rain has eased over the last few days.

The fact that the rain does keep falling on what is already saturated ground, has heightened the risk of yet more mudslides.

According to Thailand’s department of natural disaster prevention and mitigation, 10 provinces are now affected by the flooding after the waters approached the Malaysian border over the weekend.

In fact, more than 100 districts within those 10 provinces have now been declared disaster zones following 11 days of flooding rains.

There has been widespread transport disruption with road, rail and air travel all badly affected.

One of the worst-affected roads was Highway 41 where more than 2000 vehicles were besieged by the floods.

As the highway became submerged many drivers refused to abandon their expensive cargo, instead choosing to camp out with their trucks for two nights or more.

The rain has now become less frequent and not as heavy, but forecasters still estimate that it could take as long as 10 days for the flood waters to recede significantly.