Death toll in Thailand flood rises to 7

The death toll from floods triggered by heavy monsoon rainfall in Thailand has risen to seven, according to authorities, as relief operations continue.

In a statement, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said more than 260,000 people in several provinces along the Chao Phraya River have been affected this week.

Initially, four deaths were reported in central Thailand, but the National Disaster Agency revised the figure on Saturday, confirming that seven people had died.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited Ayutthaya province, the worst affected, on Saturday — his first trip since assuming office.

During the visit, he instructed local authorities to distribute emergency supplies, construct embankments with sandbags, and monitor landslide-prone areas.

Speaking to residents, Prime Minister Charnvirakul said: “We have a full team working to ease people’s suffering, and we are planning to meet your needs.”

Although Typhoon Bualoi, which struck the Philippines, did not hit Thailand, the country’s Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall in the coming days.

From June to September, Thailand regularly experiences torrential rain. However, experts warn that human-induced climate change is making extreme weather more severe and unpredictable.

Last month, five people were killed and 15 injured in northern Thailand after landslides and floods caused by Typhoon Kajiki. In 2011, more than 500 people were killed nationwide in severe flooding, which also damaged hundreds of thousands of homes.