The area has been hit by severe flooding over the past week, receiving run-off from neighbouring Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phatthalung provinces.

Meanwhile, the Southern Meteorological Centre (East Coast) has advised relevant agencies to prepare mitigation measures, and warned residents to brace for more rainfall, strong winds and up to two-metre-high waves in the Gulf from today until Sunday.

In Surat Thani, about 2,000 families in six tambons of Ban Na Doem and Phunphin districts continue to be affected by floods from one metre to three metres deep. Residents have started to suffer hygiene problems because toilets have been flooded.

Flooding is expected to abate within a week unless there is additional rainfall.

The Surat Thani disaster prevention and mitigation office has already sent flood-relief kits to victims.

Chaiya district hospital has also sent medical teams to provide healthcare to flood-affected residents in Tambon Pak Mak, while students of Wiang Sa School gathered donations to aid flood victims.