Highway No. 118, connecting Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, was cut off in Wiang Pa Pao District after heavy rain and mudslides made the road impassable. Drivers are warned to follow official orders for safety.
On September 25, 2024, at 9:30 a.m., the Chiang Rai Provincial Public Relations Office announced that the Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai Highway route in Wiang Pa Pao District was closed to all types of vehicles. The Highway was hit by heavy rain, flash floods, and mudslides, covering the road in over 20 locations.
Heavy rain, flash floods, and mudslides have been blocking the road in Wiang Pa Pao District, Chiang Rai Province, since September 23, 2024.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported that Floodwaters flooded 7 sub-districts and 29 villages: Tambon Sansalee, Tambon Wiang, Tambon Ban Pong, Tambon Pang Ngio, Tambon Wiang Kalong, Tambon Mae Chedi, and Tambon Mae Chedi Mai. 430 households were affected, with no injuries or deaths reported.
Ms. Thirat Samretwanit, Deputy Minister of Interior, coordinated with Mr. Arun Pinta, Director of the Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Chiang Rai Province, Area 15, ordered immediate assistance, food and transportation to flood victims, especially bedridden patients and pregnant women who were near delivery time, who are still stranded in the area after the second flash flood at Ban Mae Pun Lang, Ban Mae Pun Luang, and Ban Huai Hin Lat.
On Wednesday, water flowed into the Lao River and continued to Mae Suai District, Chiang Rai Province, raising water levels in some areas. In the early morning, a landslide occurred on the road in Village No. 5, Ban Pang Fan, Tambon Pa Miang, Amphoe Doi Saket, Chiang Mai Province, with large rocks and soil falling and blocking some parts of Highway No. 118.
Meanwhile, Mr. Phumtham Vejjayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, as the chairman of the Operation Center for Flood, Storm and Landslide Relief Operations (OCR), revealed that on September 27, Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra will travel to Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai provinces to monitor the situation and inspect the assistance given to flood victims.
Before traveling to the flood zones, there will be a meeting at the airport in Chiang Rai, where she will be briefed on relief efforts before traveling to the areas affected by flooding. The Prime Minister will then fly to Chiang Mai province to observe relief operations and discuss solutions to the water problems. The Deputy Prime Ministers accompanying her will travel to other hard-hit areas in Chiang Mai Province.
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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.
