CHAING RAI—After continuous rain for the fifth day and last night, heavy rain caused the Thai-Myanmar border river to overflow along its banks, flooding Mae Sai’s Sai Lom Joy Market.
The Chiang Rai Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office warned 14 at-risk areas to watch for heavy rain until August 10.
For the flood situation in Mae Sai District and Tachilek, Myanmar, continuous rain caused water to overflow on both sides. The water level of the Sai River has risen another 50 cm from yesterday; it is now 5 meters 45 cm high.
Continuous rain has fallen in the border area of Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province and Tachilek, Myanmar. This has raised the water level in the Sai River until it overflows into the border areas on both sides of the country.
On the Thai side, water has started to flood Mae Sai Subdistrict Municipality, starting from Sai Lom Joy Market, Ban Ko Sai Community, Ban Mai Lung Khan Community, and Ban Muang Daeng Community, located along the river.
As the municipality had previously warned of flooding, all Sai Lom Joy Market vendors rushed to move their belongings to higher ground.
Sai Lom Joy Market, a border trade area along the Sai River, was completely flooded. The water level on the road in the middle of the market was about 30 centimeters high, while the area near the bridge was over 1 meter high. No vehicles could not pass through.
Yesterday, the water level started to recede in some areas.
Officials from Mae Sai Subdistrict Municipality, the Chao Tak Task Force, the Pha Muang Task Force, and the Chiang Rai Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office mobilized to clean up the flooded and muddy areas.
Sandbags were used to cover various areas. And quickly pump water out of the area to prevent overflowing into the inner area.
Yesterday (August 3), the Mae Sai River, the water level measurement point under the Mae Sai-Tachilek border bridge, No. 1, measured the highest level at 5 meters 45 centimeters, approximately 50 centimeters higher than August 2.
The Chiang Rai Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office warned people in 14 at-risk districts, such as Mueang Chiang Rai District, Mae Fah Luang District, Mae Sai District, Chiang Saen District, and Chiang Khong District, to watch out for heavy to very heavy rain until August 10.