Community Floods Disrupt Northern Thailand Hospitals as Health Ministry Activates Emergency Centres

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khoasod.

 

The Ministry of Public Health has reported that widespread flooding across Thailand has affected 23 healthcare facilities, prompting the activation of emergency operations centres (EOCs) in three provinces: Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, and Uttaradit.

 

Health Ministry confirmed the situation on 27 July,  citing the combined impact of Tropical Storm Wipha and the southwest monsoon, which has caused extensive flooding in six northern provinces: Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Lampang, Chiang Mai, and Sukhothai.

 

Among these, Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, and Sukhothai remain under critical flood conditions. Seven people have been reported injured, though no fatalities have occurred. A total of 32 districts have been affected, including 15 in Chiang Rai, two in Lampang, and three in Sukhothai.

 

Of the 23 impacted healthcare facilities, seven are district hospitals, three are public health offices, and 13 are subdistrict health promotion hospitals (Ror Por Sor). While most facilities remain operational, the hospital in Nan has temporarily closed due to flooding.

 

In Sukhothai, severe flooding has been reported in Sri Samrong and Mueang districts. A river embankment along the Yom River collapsed, flooding homes and roads in Thani, Pak Kwae, and Yang Sai subdistricts, affecting over 1,000 residents. In Khlong Maplap, Sri Nakhon district, three residents were impacted. Fortunately, no healthcare facilities have been damaged in these areas.

 

Local public health officials and multidisciplinary teams have been deployed to affected areas, assisting in the relocation of vulnerable patients and distributing essential medicine kits. Sukhothai Province has received 1,000 relief kits, with Health Region 2 reserving an additional 3,600 kits for further support.

 

Phitsanulok is also bracing for potential flooding, particularly in Bang Rakam district, as rising waters from the Yom River approach. Authorities have prepared 300 medical kits and emergency evacuation plans for vulnerable groups.

 

Hospitals have been ordered to prepare mobile medical teams and flood defences to ensure continuous service delivery. The Ministry has instructed affected provinces to monitor the situation closely and coordinate with local subdistrict administrative organisations to distribute medicine directly to homes and shelters.

 

The Ministry also outlined post-flood recovery plans, including environmental clean-up, disease surveillance for waterborne illnesses such as diarrhoea and skin infections and damage assessments for healthcare facilities.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-07-28