U.23 Vietnam affected by serious flooding in Songkhla, Thailand

The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF)'s advance work is facing difficulties due to prolonged rain, causing serious flooding in Songkhla province (Thailand), where the matches of the Vietnam U.23 team at the 33rd SEA Games will take place.

The venue for men's football at SEA Games 33 was flooded, Thailand faced difficulties

According to the Nation Thailand newspaper, southern Thailand is facing a flood disaster. Songkhla province has declared Hat Yai and surrounding districts a red zone and ordered urgent evacuations due to continuous heavy rains. Heavy rains from November 19 to 23 caused flooding in Songkhla province, affecting 16 districts and more than 465,000 people across the province. More than 80 pumps have been installed to drain the water, and the military has been mobilized to evacuate people, including those trapped in hotels due to power outages.

Image of flooded Songkhla province recorded on November 23

PHOTO: NATION THAILAND

In the context of Songkhla being one of the 6 southern provinces of Thailand that has been flooded extensively, the preparation and survey of facilities for U.23 Vietnam at the 33rd SEA Games is being seriously hampered. Traffic in Songkhla province is facing problems as many main roads are flooded more than 1 meter deep, making it difficult to move and access the expected stadium and accommodation areas.

In addition, widespread flooding and power outages in urban areas have raised concerns about the ability to promptly restore necessary facilities, including training grounds and competition grounds, ahead of the 33rd SEA Games. Songkhla authorities are still making every effort to cope with the natural disaster, but heavy rain is forecast to continue until November 25, posing a major challenge in terms of logistics preparation time for the VFF as well as the 33rd SEA Games organizing committee.

However, the leaders of the Vietnamese sports delegation affirmed that they will immediately send officials from the capital Bangkok to Songkhala province to grasp the situation. From there, the advance work can proceed smoothly, ensuring that all preparations for the U.23 Vietnam team are the best.

All flights to Songkhla are currently suspended. Flooding in Songkhla is expected to ease over the next three to four days.

At this time, the U.23 Vietnam team is training in Ba Ria ward (HCMC) to prepare for the 33rd SEA Games.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/u23-viet-nam-bi-anh-huong-vi-tinh-hinh-ngap-lut-nghiem-trong-o-songkhla-thai-lan-185251124174224836.htm