Chiang Mai raises red flags after flash floods in various areas, Ping River rises, expected to peak at nearly 5 meters tonight, warning communities in 7 urban zones to move belongings to higher ground.
Heavy rains in Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province caused flash floods to flow into the Mae Sa River and rise rapidly. The water is red and muddy and the current is fast. The head of the Mae Sa Waterfall unit has ordered the temporary closure of Mae Sa Waterfall, prohibiting tourists from entering the area for fear of safety.
Meanwhile, flash floods have flooded several villages in Mae Rim District since early this morning, especially villages along the Mae Rim and Mae Sa Rivers, including Ban Ton Kaew, Ban Duang Dee, and Ban Thong Fai in Rim Tai and Rim Nuea Subdistricts. The water level in some areas was almost 1 meter high. Some villagers did not have time to collect their belongings because the water came too quickly and they had to let it sink. Some houses said that this was the fourth time they had be
en flooded in less than 2 months. This flash flood occurred after heavy rains of 136 millimeters on Doi Mon Cham, where there was a report of one death from lightning on the Mae Rim-Saluang Road while carrying a motorcycle across a landslide and a fallen electric pole, which has already been closed.
Flash floods from Mae Taeng and Mae Rim caused the Ping River flowing through Chiang Mai to rise rapidly, at a maximum of 15 centimeters per hour. As of 10:00 AM, the Ping River level was at 4.25, which exceeded the critical level of 4.20 centimeters. Red flags had to be raised to warn communities in all 7 zones of Chiang Mai to move their cars, motorcycles, and belongings to higher ground. It is expected that the Ping River level will reach its highest level of 4.95 centimeters at 2:00 AM tonight. The maximum water retention capacity is 4.20 centimeters, which will cause flooding in low-lying areas of Chiang Mai to occur again after last week’s flooding, when the Ping River peaked at 4.93 centimeters, and the ci
ty had just been cleaned up a few days ago.
At Chiang Mai Christian School near the Ping River, even though the school term is closed, there are still kindergarten students who have informed parents to come pick up their children at noon today. Meanwhile, residents of the Pa Phrao Nok community and the Police Region 5 flats, which are along the Ping River and are the first checkpoint to receive floodwater, have started to prepare. However, many people are still monitoring the situation because they have to travel to work this morning. Most of them are left with only elderly people at home.
Mae Sai River overflows its banks again, evacuation announced
Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province, rain fell almost all night. At around 9:00 a.m., water overflowed the banks and the water barrier at the area under the 1st Friendship Bridge Mae Sai-Tachilek. Officials therefore announced for people in the nearby area to evacuate the area. Military and private officials who were helping people quickly moved their machin
ery to a safe place because the water current was rising continuously. The situation must be monitored minute by minute.
Source: Thai News Agency