Evacuations are underway to help people stranded in many places in the northern Thai province’s Muang and Saraphi districts, which were heavily affected by the overflowing Ping River on Saturday evening.
The level of the Ping River at Nawarat Bridge in Muang district reached a historic high of over 5.5 meters on Saturday evening. The level fell to 5.15 m at 4 a.m. and to 5.00 m at 8 a.m. this Sunday.
The flooding of the river caused violent water currents in shopping areas, including the Night Bazaar, Chang Khlan Road and Kad Luang Market. Rescue workers estimated that thousands of people, including elderly people and bedridden children, were in need of food and evacuation.
Chang Khlan Street and the night bazaar found themselves under more than a meter of water. Residents and visitors were stranded.
Floodwaters have also inundated the Chiang Mai-Lampang highway and the Chiang Mai-Lamphun road since late Saturday night. Many vehicles were parked at the Saraphi Interchange and isolated motorists requested food and evacuation. Mahidol Road leading to Chiang Mai Airport was also flooded.
Dr Sariddet Charoenchai, director of public health emergency management at the Ministry of Public Health, said two people were killed in the overflowing Ping River. A 44-year-old man was electrocuted and a 33-year-old woman was submerged by a mudslide. A person is missing.
There are now 42 shelters for flood victims in Chiang Maias floodwaters closed 11 clinics in the northern province, he said.
Thailand’s national railway company is ending its northbound train service from Bangkok in Lampang province due to heavy flooding in Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai is among 20 provinces currently affected by flooding on Sunday, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.
Article produced with information from https://www.bangkokpost.com
