By Fr. Enrico Danieli, Fr. Renzo Rossignolo, Fr. John Bosco Suksan, SDB
Yala, Thailand, 13 January 2017 -- During past week the out-of-season heavy flash floods in Southern Thailand affected more than 1.2 million of people with water level reaching ‘roof-high’. At least 36 people have died and more than 5000 villages been submerged. Transport services, including flights, have been disrupted, hundreds of schools and toppled power cables. The diocese of Surrathani (bishop Joseph Prathan, SDB) is extended in 15 southern provinces, and 11 of them did suffer ongoing rain for past 15 days with the epicenter in Nakhon Si Thammarat province.
In the affected area are located several Salesian presences of Hat Yai and three most southern provinces. Three confreres share the immediate impact of the flood in their place.
Yala: ‘Within the three provinces in the south under my care, this year we are very lucky. Our Churches are not affected much except our St Monica Church at Sungai Kolok (photos). Our Church and school in Hat Yai are safe and sound. The drainage system project of our deceased King Rama IX has saved Hat Yai from flood this time. Thanks to his wide vision of this project. The worst calamity happens to Nakon Sri Thammarat Province where Fr Renzo and Fr Enrico are working. They are forced to live on the second floor of the house.
Nakhon Sri Thammarat: We are grateful for the closeness of Fr. Provincial, for many phone calls from other confreres and mutual visits from other communities in the South. This time the heavy rain was more serious than early December 2016. Starting from 30th of December the rain lasted too many days: first closed the school for two weeks, then water entered the Church and the whole campus and continue to rise up and I remained on the second floor for more than 3 days. Thanks to God and to St. John Bosco for the protection, we didn’t suffer too much and were able to help with little of food some people nearby.
Ronphibun: Fortunately due to the elevated construction the school of the SIHM sisters was not damaged, only the walls of the missionary residence did suffer.
The Salesians in the Southern Thailand give thanks for their safety and continue to help in a humble way many people in their neighborhood.
