Chiang Mai, a popular tourist city in northern Thailand, has been overwhelmed by flash floods, claiming the lives of at least three people. The floods occurred after torrential rain caused the Ping River, which runs along the eastern edge of the city, to swell to a staggering 5.30 meters (17.4 feet), marking its highest level in 50 years. The unprecedented flooding began late Saturday, triggering widespread evacuations and significant disruptions to daily life in the region.
Residents were forced to wade through thigh-high brown waters, with some tourists evacuated from hotels in trucks. The central train station in Chiang Mai was shut down after floodwaters poured inside, and train services to the city were subsequently suspended. Numerous shops were forced to close, and more than 80 people were moved to temporary shelters as the water levels continued to rise. Almost a dozen medical centers had to shut down due to the severity of the flooding.
Saritdet Charoenchai, a local public health official, confirmed that the floods had claimed three lives, including a 44-year-old man who was electrocuted and a 33-year-old woman who died in a mudslide. The extensive damage extended to a sanctuary north of the city, where two elephants tragically drowned on Sunday. However, elephants were also instrumental in rescuing and evacuating residents caught in the floods in other parts of the region.
The flooding crisis in Chiang Mai comes on the heels of heavy downpours that have plagued Thailand’s northern provinces since early September, following Typhoon Yagi. As of Sunday, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported that 20 of Thailand’s 76 provinces were currently experiencing flooding. One district in the region is facing its worst inundations in 80 years.
The situation has raised concerns about further flooding, especially in the capital city, Bangkok. The Irrigation Department has announced plans to release water from a major dam, a necessary measure after weeks of continuous heavy rainfall. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as the risk of more severe flooding remains high across the affected areas.
With rescue efforts ongoing, Thailand continues to grapple with the aftermath of these devastating floods, as residents and officials work to mitigate further damage and prevent additional casualties.
