CHIANG MAI – Heavy rain caused flash floods and mudslides in Ban Pang Ung, Mae Suek, Mae Chaem district. Early reports confirm that seven homes were damaged, ten people were injured, and two people died. Among those missing is a 12-year-old girl. Local officials moved quickly, launching search and rescue efforts.
On August 27, 2025, reports from Chiang Mai said that continuous downpours started the night before and led to flooding and landslides at about 2:05 a.m. Villages in Pang Ung took the brunt, leaving several homes battered.
Rescuers from local administrative offices worked fast to help residents, moving the injured to Theppharat Vechanukul Hospital in Mae Chaem. Two of those hurt suffered serious injuries and struggled to breathe, needing transfer to Chom Thong hospital. Teams kept searching for the missing girl, but she has not been found.
The area around the landslide remains covered in debris and scraps from destroyed homes and vehicles. Rain continues to fall, making recovery hard. Hospital teams have set up at Pang Ung’s local health facility to treat anyone injured or in shock. Mental health workers are also supporting affected residents.
Flooding in Downtown Chiang Mai
Storm Kajiki hit Chiang Mai, bringing hours of rain to the city. Flooding followed in downtown areas, both in spots that flood every year and in new areas not used to it. Many believe the blocked drains, never cleaned, made things worse.
Runoff from Doi Suthep mountain also poured onto local roads, so officials are working to reduce problems while grey, rainy weather makes further downpours likely.
By midday on August 26, 2025, Kajiki’s influence matched weather forecasts, with the city hammered by steady, strong rain. Flooding hit several neighbourhoods, especially Sri Ping Muang, which often floods each year. But even streets that rarely flooded were submerged this time.
Key roads like Ratchapakhinai and Ratchadamnoen, from Klang Wiang intersection past the city police station to Wat Phra Singh, saw up to 30 to 50 centimetres of water. Other flooded spots included the approach to Chiang Mai Kindergarten, Chang Klan Road, Sirimangkalajarn Road, Tha Phae, and Charoen Prathet Road.
Police had to close some streets to speed up draining efforts and keep traffic moving. Low-lying roads such as Chang Klan, Kad Kom, and the underpass at Pa Daet often flood but were hit especially hard.
What stood out was how quickly flooding struck Chiang Mai’s downtown streets, even those rarely affected. Normally, it takes very heavy rain for over an hour to flood these parts. This time, half an hour of rain was enough.
Locals near Wat Chedi Luang said water usually floods their homes only after long, heavy rain, but this time, water poured in quickly. Most drains on this street were clogged, causing water to back up onto the roads and into houses.
Both inside and outside the city moat, many roads were flooded, leading to long traffic jams. Authorities closed some routes, and roadwork in the area added to the confusion. Traffic in Chiang Mai’s city center reached gridlock, and the problems got worse as school and work ended for the day. Residents were advised to plan before travelling.
