MAE HONG SON – Highway 108 remains closed after heavy storms from tropical storm Kajiki brought relentless rainfall and flash floods. The disaster struck Pha Bong just before dawn on 27 August 2024, taking residents by surprise.
Strong currents swept away cars and livestock, damaging homes and businesses along the way. The facilities of a well-known OTOP producer were badly damaged, along with several local factories and homes.
The latest updates reveal that the severe flooding in Pha Bong and Huai Pong subdistricts caught residents off guard. Floodwaters surged through the area early in the morning, destroying homes, carrying away personal belongings, and drowning herds of cattle and buffalo.
Many residents had to climb to rooftops or higher ground to escape the water.
Residents who parked vehicles close to their homes had little time to move them. The sudden flooding piled debris against their cars, leaving most badly damaged or washed away altogether. Animals that could not escape in time sank in the rising waters.
In many houses, thick mud settled inside, while goods from local shops vanished into the flood.
The flood hit hardest at Saifah Roasted Nuts, a major local business known for its tiger stripe beans and OTOP products. The factories and the owner’s residence were both destroyed, collapsing under the force of the current.
Mr. Amorn Sritrakul, the head of Pha Bong subdistrict, reported that there had been no warning of the disaster. The sudden nature left everyone unprepared, unable to safeguard property in time.
He explained that the region has never faced such severe flooding. Local administration teams, soldiers, and other officials are now working together to clear the area. Highway 108, the main route, is still impassable, and no alternative routes are available.
Two survivors who were rescued from their house later that morning shared their experience. They said the water started to rise around four o’clock, and they did not expect it to get so bad. By the time they realized the danger, water was already filling their house.
Forced to move upstairs, they could only watch as their belongings were destroyed. Important documents and valuables were washed away. Now, they are not sure how to rebuild their lives after facing such a crisis for the first time.
Many other villages in Huai Pong, close to Pha Bong, were also hit. Bridges linking villages collapsed, cutting off access for many people. Local government teams rushed to help those affected, as officials and rescue units from Mae Hong Son could not reach the main disaster areas.
Rescuers and volunteers are working to support residents, clear debris, and restore vital links. Reopening Highway 108 is one of the main priorities so that help and supplies can finally reach all affected communities.
