Entire families and their pets were stranded atop homes inundated with over three meters of floodwater today in Khon Kaen.

Residence throughout that and other Northeast provinces were feeling the intensity of tropical storm Podul as it swept in from across the South China Sea. Entire neighborhoods have been hit with flash flooding since Friday night in some of the hardest-hit areas.

Update: Podul leaves at least 6 Thais dead in its wake (Photos)

Suparb Maungsri, 57 of Khon Kaen’s Sa-at sub district, told reporters that his house has been flooded since around 8pm Friday night with water levels continuing to rise. His family and neighbors have been camped on the roof, waiting for the authorities to provide relief.

Suparb said the two neighborhoods hardest hits have about 1,000 families residing in them.

“This is the biggest flood in 40 years both in severity and scope,” he said, adding that communities need immediate help.

Podul weakened as it came ashore and was downgraded today to a Category 1 storm. Thundershowers and torrential rains are expected to continue over much of the kingdom through Sunday.

About 16 provinces have experienced flooding so far, according to a government statement.

Anyone needing assistance should contact hotline 1784 or the Irrigation Department at 1460.

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Brace yourselves Thailand, tropical storm ‘Podul’ is coming and it’s gonna rain (Maps)

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