KATHMANDU: Daily life in southern Thailand’s Hat Yai region have been severely affected after days of relentless rainfall triggered one of the area’s worst floods in recent years. Amid this crisis, the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) NCC Thailand, together with the Nepal Embassy in Thailand, has stepped forward with relief assistance to support both Nepali and local families.

The distribution took place at the Khuanlang Municipality office, where NRNA representatives handed over food, drinking water, and health and sanitation supplies to municipal officials for dispatch to the hardest-hit neighbourhoods. The ceremony highlighted close cooperation between the Nepali diaspora and Thai local authorities in responding to the disaster.

The NRNA team — including ICC Member Bhabindra Basnet, President Mahendra Shrestha, Senior Vice President Kanchha (Gabo) Gurung, Vice Presidents Raju Balami and Sarasingh Gurung, and Secretary Raj Bahadur Saud — also inspected inundated zones and interacted with municipal staff to understand the ongoing challenges.

Municipal officials said the Nepali community’s prompt support had “sent a strong message of friendship and solidarity” as the city continues to struggle with submerged roads, disrupted transport links, power outages, and overcrowded temporary shelters.

Large sections of Hat Yai, a major travel hub in southern Thailand, remain under water, affecting local tourism, hospitality businesses, and the movement of residents and migrant workers. Many areas continue to face shortages of clean water and basic services, Senior Vice President Kanchha (Gabo) Gurung said.

Gabo Gurung added that the relief supplies were made possible by donations from Nepalis living in Thailand and contributions from Nepali well-wishers worldwide. The organisation has expressed readiness to expand assistance and deploy volunteers if conditions deteriorate further.

“As always, our priority is to reach affected Nepali and local communities as quickly as possible,” said Secretary Raj Bahadur Saud. 

The program concluded with wishes for the swift recovery and rehabilitation of all displaced families.