Northern Thailand
Chiang Mai Hit By Worst Tropical Storm in 60 Years
Electricity Poles knocked down by storm in Chiang Mai
CHIANG MAI – The Governor Chiang Mai Province has reported that his Province has experienced its worst tropical storm in 60 years, which brought extensive damage in two districts. The Governor has instructed agencies in charge to assess the damage and provide immediate help to the villagers.
Power Poles Knocked down during storm
The storm last night caused large trees to fall on electricity poles, leading to an overnight blackout in many areas in the districts of Sansai and Doi Saket. Local authorities had to spend the whole night removing the fallen trees which not only disrupted the power supply but also blocked a road.
The cyclone also blew the roofs off more than 100 houses. Affected locals said the storm was the heaviest in the past 60 years, adding that their possessions were blown skywards and fell violently to the ground as they watched unable to intervene. A number of shops and advertising signs were also badly damaged.
Six districts of Sukhothai province were also pounded by the tropical storm, destroying more than 1,200 houses and knocking down at least 40 power poles.
Heavy rain and hail struck Muang, Khiri Mat, Si Samrong, Kong Krailat, Sawankhlalok and Si Satchanalai districts of the northern province. Big trees fell onto houses and roadside pavilions were badly damaged, but no deaths or injuries were reported.
Authorities said on Wednesday the storm struck 82 villages in 23 tambons, damaging 1,263 houses, bringing down more than 40 power poles and causing blackouts in six of the nine districts. Kong Krailat was the worst hit district, with 37 power poles knocked down.
A soldier inspects one of the damaged houses in Phitsanulok on Wednesday after a storm blew the roof right off on Tuesday night. (Photo by Chinnawat Singha)
In Phitsanulok province, squalls struck Muang and Wang Thong districts. A total of 23 power poles in Muang district were blown down, causing blackouts. Many trees were also uprooted, blocking several roads.
Officials from the provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office surveyed storm-hit areas and reported that 347 houses in Muang district and 30 more homes in Wang Thong district were damaged. Roofs had been blown off many houses.
