Chiang Rai Hit with Heavy Rains and Flooding

 

CHIANG RAI – Since Tuesday August 26, heavy rains have impacted Thailand causing flooding, particularly in the north of the country. According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), the floods have affected over 8,000 homes to date.

Chiang Rai  appears to be the worst affected Province , where over 5,800 households and 11,200 people have been affected by the flooding, according to the DDPM. Reports suggest that within Chiang Rai, Wiang Chiang Rung and Phaya Mengrai districts have been most severely impacted.

At least 17 provinces (out of 76) have experienced flooding over the past week, with the majority concentrated in the mountainous north of the country.

Reports indicate that that the situation is easing in most of the affected provinces and damage surveys remain underway. Based on an analysis of the RMS Industrial Cluster Catalog, the vast majority of Thailand’s industrial clusters are located in central Thailand, near Bangkok, in provinces that are yet to be affected by this flood event.

Further heavy rain is forecast over the coming days, with the National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC) warning of flash floods and landslides in a number of northern, northeastern, and eastern provinces. To date, reports indicate that there have been 7 fatalities associated with the flooding.

Meanwhile, The northern province of Phrae is closely monitoring the water level of the Yom River, which has been continuously rising.

According to the province’s Public Relations Office, the Yom River has a chance to overflow, if more rainwater accumulates in the rivers. Should this happen, then the floodwaters may inundate nearby communities nearby the riverbanks.

The province has warned residents in the municipal area to close monitor the announcement about the water level and flood situation. Residents are also advised to prepare for flash floods and relocate their belongings to higher ground.

Four main sluice gates in the municipal area have been closed to prevent the water from flowing back into the province’s Old Town area. Water pumps have been installed in critical spots to deal with possible flooding.