Flood Situation in Southern Thailand (Songkhla Province)
Abstract
- The flood situation in southern Thailand caused by heavy rains from November 19 to 22, 2025, affected many areas and caused damage to several districts in Songkhla Province.
- In southern Thailand, both daily rainfall and cumulative rainfall since November 19 have significantly exceeded average values, with heavy rains continuing on November 24.
- Analysis of satellite observation data from November 19 to 25, 2025, indicates that approximately 146,297 Rai (about 234 km2) in Songkhla Province alone may have been affected by flooding.
- The cause of the flooding in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, is believed to be the inflow of water from the U-Tapao Canal into the affected area due to the record-breaking heavy rainfall. In addition to the meteorological conditions, the geographical factor of surrounding canals converging on this district has been pointed out.
- While northern and central Thailand are transitioning from the rainy season to the winter season, heavy rain is possible in the south until around December. Continued vigilance against heavy rain and flooding is advised.
- In southern Thailand, both daily rainfall and cumulative rainfall since November 19 have significantly exceeded average values, with heavy rains continuing on November 24.
- Analysis of satellite observation data from November 19 to 25, 2025, indicates that approximately 146,297 Rai (about 234 km2) in Songkhla Province alone may have been affected by flooding.
Precipitation
The figure below shows, from left to right, the cumulative rainfall, the departure between cumulative rainfall and the normal value (*average over the past 30 years), and the distribution of rainfall days in Thailand for the period from January 1 to November 24, 2025.
Cumulative rainfall as of November 24, 2025, has exceeded last year’s levels nationwide, and this trend is also evident in the southern regions.
Meanwhile, as of November 10, two weeks prior, rainfall conditions in provinces such as Songkhla were below average, average, or slightly above average, clearly showing the significant impact of the heavy rains starting on November 19.
Daily rainfall amounts from November 18 to 24 are shown below. Significant heavy rainfall has been observed in southern Thailand since November 19. Across most of Songkhla Province, rainfall amounts of 200-300 mm were reported on November 21 and 24, and 300-400 mm on November 22.
Flood Damage Situation
According to analysis data from GISTDA (Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency) for November 19-25, 2025, approximately 146,297 Rai (about 234 km2) in Songkhla Province may have been affected by flooding, potentially impacting about 30,000 homes and approximately 200,000 people.
Flooding has also occurred in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, a major city in southern Thailand. The estimated affected area in this region is 52,731 Rai (approximately 84 km2), potentially impacting around 25,000 homes and approximately 150,000 people.
Other Contributing Factors to the Flooding
In addition to record-breaking rainfall, geographical factors in the surrounding area have also been cited as causes for this flooding. The terrain of Hat Yai District is low-lying, sloping down toward Songkhla Lake to the north. The city is traversed by the U-Tapao Canal and its tributaries, which flow from the surrounding mountain ranges into Songkhla Lake. Rainwater and river water from three directions flow into the U-Tapao Canal, passing through the low-lying Hat Yai District before entering Songkhla Lake. It is believed that the current flood damage resulted from the combination of rainfall around Hat Yai District and the massive inflow of rainwater from the surrounding mountains and mountain ranges.
Future Rainfall Forecast
According to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD)’s 7-day forecast for November 24 to 30, heavy rainfall is expected across southern Thailand during the first half of the period due to the influence of a low-pressure system and the northeast monsoon. While overall rainfall is expected to decrease in the latter half of the period, localized heavy rainfall is anticipated.
The three-day forecast released on November 25 by the Smart Water Operation Center (SWOC), an agency under the Royal Irrigation Department (RID), also predicts heavy rainfall in southern Thailand and the Malay Peninsula due to a strong low-pressure system and the northeast monsoon. Caution is advised against heavy rain, flash floods, and lowland flooding.
Reference
MS&AD InterRisk Research & Consulting, Inc. is a risk-related service company of the MS&AD Insurance Group, which conducts consulting related to risk management and research in a wide range of fields. InterRisk Asia (Thailand) Co., Ltd. is a risk management company based in Bangkok, Thailand. We provide various risk consulting services in Southeast Asian countries, including fire risk surveys, natural disaster and industrial accident risk surveys for factories, warehouses, commercial facilities, etc., traffic risks, BCP Establishment support, cyber risks, etc. For inquiry, please feel free to contact the below information, or nearest Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance or Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance sales representatives. MS&AD InterRisk Research & Consulting, Inc. InterRisk Asia (Thailand) Co., Ltd. |
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Flood situation in southern Thailand
