A “once in 300 year” storm has battered southern Thailand, bringing floodwaters more than eight feet high that in one city cut off access to a maternity ward holding 30 newborn babies, staff and officials said.

By Athit Perawongmetha HAT YAI, Thailand (Reuters) -When Jantarakarn Kaewjan went to bed in Thailand's southern city of Hat Yai last Friday, three days of heavy rains had only caused some waterlogging in the street outside her apartment building.