On Sunday morning, Bamnet Narong Hospital in Chaiyaphum was flooded and suffered severe damages to its facilities, forcing rescue teams to evacuate 40 patients.
In the afternoon, the Hook 31 rescue unit reported that 16 patients had been successfully transferred from the hospital located in Bamnet Narong district to other hospitals in the province.
Moreover, the Public Health Ministry said that 14 patients had been sent home.
Rescuers heeded an emergency call from hospital officials and tried to evacuate patients in the morning. However, the strong currents prevented them from reaching the place until yesterday afternoon.
When the currents eased, rescuers used rowing boats to help those patients sheltered on the hospital’s second floor. Later, an army truck took them to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Via Facebook, a volunteer rescue unit wrote a message, saying: “All patients have been evacuated. All doctors, hospital staff and patients are safe.”
The hospital was hit hard by flooding, which increased sharply from Saturday night to Sunday morning due to the tropical depression Dianmu’s impact.
The storm reportedly left a dozen provinces underwater, including Chaiyaphum, considered one of the worst-hit.
According to the permanent secretary for public health, Kiatiphum Wongrajit, Bamnet Narong and Sukhothai hospitals were damaged by the floods. However, at Bannet Narong Hospital, the water rose up to 80 centimeters in one building, forcing staff to evacuate the facility and close its doors.
The hospital also reported it had been left without electricity or running water when water levels on its ground floor reached more than one meter.
During an initial evaluation, rescuers found damage to an X-ray room and several labs that were flooded. Seven ambulances and four other hospital vehicles were completely submerged, the ministry added.
Authorities also reported that Phetchabun province was severely affected by the floods. On Sunday night, a section on Road 21 was closed to traffic after water reached levels that made it impassable for vehicles.
