On September 25, 2024, the Ping River overflowed its banks in Chiang Mai City and flooded several communities. Many schools and government agencies on Chang Klan Road and Charoen Prathet Road announced their closure until the situation improved.
Last night, at approximately 9:00 p.m., the Ping River rose until it first overflowed the flood wall in the Pa Phrao Nok community, as it was the lowest point, and then began spreading to other communities. This morning, at 05.00 am, the water level at P1 at the Nawarat Bridge measured 4.45 meters, an increase of 2 centimeters from the previous hour.
Meanwhile, the city’s water level has been rising by an average of 2-3 centimeters per hour for 5 consecutive hours.
Water has now spread to flood several districts, starting at Pa Phrao Nok, some parts of Pa Daet, San Pa Khoi, and almost the entire Charoen Prathet Road, including the Chiang Mai Forestry Office, Montfort Primary School, Phra Hrudai School, Regina School, and Wat Chaimongkol.
The water level is approximately 40-60 centimeters high, with some areas almost 1 meter high.
Mahidol overpass in Chiang Mai 7:am
Meanwhile, the Chiang Mai City Municipality is closely monitoring the water level to see how far the flooding will spread as there is heavy rain in many areas in Chiang Mai.
The headwater area of the Ping River in Mae Taeng District reported the water level of Mae Taeng from the early warning station at Ban Huai Pa Sang, Tambon Kiet Chang, Amphoe Mae Taeng, at 4.51 meters (critical is 5.00 meters).
Hydrology 1, Chiang Mai, reported that the Ping River flooded many areas in Chiang Mai City, such as Montfort Primary School, Chang Klan Road, Charoen Prathet Road, and the Saphan Phak 5 underpass. This caused many schools to announce their closures and heavy rain continued in many areas.
The Chiang Mai Irrigation Office, which manages the drainage of the Ping River, reports that it has opened all six floodgates in Tambon Pa Daet to accelerate water drainage to its full capacity.
Geoff Thomas is an award winning journalist known for his sharp insights and no-nonsense reporting style. Over the years he has worked for Reuters and the Canadian Press covering everything from political scandals to human interest stories. He brings a clear and direct approach to his work.
