Thailand airlifts sufferers, rushes provides as floods in south kill 33 | USAEMALL.com

HOSPITAL EVACUATIONS IN THAILAND AND MALAYSIA

Floods have affected more than 980,000 homes and over 2.7 million people in Thailand, the interior ministry said.

Flood waters had inundated the first floor of Hat Yai’s main government hospital treating 600 patients, around 50 of them in intensive care, public health ministry official Somrerk Chungsaman told Reuters.

“Today, all intensive care patients will be transported out of Hat Yai Hospital,” he said.

At another hospital, an army helicopter evacuated a critically ill elderly woman, who was surrounded by medical staff onboard the aircraft then wheeled away from the rooftop helipad of another facility, according to a handout video.

In Kangar, the capital of Malaysia’s Perlis state, which borders Thailand, workers moved patients out of the Tuanku Fauziah Hospital on gurneys through knee-high water, with much of its parking lot and entrances submerged, according to a Reuters journalist.

“AT LEAST SEND THEM SUPPLIES”

Despite the push by Thailand’s military, which took over relief efforts on Tuesday, some residents of Hat Yai and surrounding areas who were still waiting to be rescued posted desperate pleas on social media.

Auntita Taechinchotikan, 33, who lives in Bangkok, had only managed to make contact with her stranded brother and his family early on Wednesday.

“I’ve tried contacting every rescue team, and they’ve all responded, but no one has been able to reach the house,” she told Reuters.

Ten family members were trapped in two buildings in Hat Yai, including her parents and young children, said Auntita.

“If they can’t take them out, then at least send supplies,” she said, “I don’t know how much food they have left to survive.”