The Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office reports heavy rain in Wiang Pa Pao District, Chiang Rai Province, has caused widespread flooding in seven sub-districts and 29 villages, affecting 1,023 households.
The local administration and local government organizations are coordinated to provide assistance to the victims, move people’s belongings to higher ground, and build sandbags to block the water flow.
Water overflowed and flooded Highway 118 Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai in 2 locations: in front of the church in Pangiew Subdistrict and Ban Buak Khon, Village No. 9, Mae Chedi Mai Subdistrict.
Police officers from Wiang Pa Pao and Mae Chedi Police Station, along with local administrative organizations, administrative officers, and rescue workers, are in the area to facilitate traffic and help people affected by flooding.
Flash floods also occurred in Ban Mae Pun Luang and Ban Sam Kula (Ban Briwan), Tambon Wiang, Amphoe Wiang Pa Pao, and Chiang Rai Province. The flash floods swept away debris that hit a bridge, cutting off transportation routes and destroying houses one by one.
The Wiang Pa Pao District in Chiang Rai has set up an incident command center at the district office to assist. People living in risky and low-lying areas were informed to move their belongings to higher ground and to continuously monitor news for warnings.
The Chiang Rai Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Center provided essential items: relief bags, drinking water, and boxes of instant noodles.
The Chiang Rai Governor visited the area to summarize the situation at the district incident command center, visited the affected areas, and ordered relevant agencies to notify all districts to monitor and closely monitor the situation of flash floods, forest runoff, and overflowing rivers.
He ordered the preparation of tools, machinery, military equipment, and personnel ready to provide immediate assistance 24 hours a day when requested. Relevant agencies are also surveying the damage and assisting.
Flooding also caused the Ban Nong Bua Bridge in Phrao District to collapse, closing it off to traffic. A landslide blocked the Phrao-Wiang Pa Pao Road. Officials rushed to clear the debris and reopen the road.
Meanwhile, Chiang Mai Province has been inundated with heavy rains that have caused flooding in many districts, especially Mae Rim District, where flash floods have hit; strong currents have washed away houses along the riverbanks.
The Chiang Mai Hydrological Center has warned residents living along the Ping River to prepare for overflowing water and move their belongings to higher ground. In Chiang Mai Municipality, an economic area, people are closely monitoring the water situation in the Ping River.
The latest update is that at 7:00 p.m. yesterday, the water level at the Nawarat Bridge in Chiang Mai City was 2.69 meters; the critical level was 3.70 meters. The Chiang Mai Irrigation Department opened the Pa Daet water gates to push water downstream in an effort to prevent flooding in Chiang Mai City.
They are also preparing to handle the water from Chiang Dao District, where flash floods are flowing into the Ping River. The river takes 6-10 hours to reach Chiang Mai city. Therefore, water management in the Ping River must be strictly hourly.
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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.
