Flash Floods Submerge Four Chiang Rai Villages After Heavy Downpours

Heavy overnight rainfall in Chiang Rai, northern Thailand, has triggered severe flash floods, submerging four villages and disrupting transportation. The Mae Korn River overflowed its banks after relentless downpours between 4:00 AM and 5:00 AM. Upland areas like Ban Mae Sat and Ban Pang Pa Ko received over 100 millimeters of rain in a few hours, causing the water to rush downhill into the Mae Korn subdistrict. This caught many residents off guard, with homes in Ban Pang Rim Korn, Ban Pang Kok, Ban Mai, and Ban Fang Min being flooded. Authorities are urging residents in low-lying areas to move to higher ground immediately. The floods also caused significant disruptions to morning commutes. By 8:50 AM, the busy Suan Dok intersection, a key junction connecting the Den Ha-Dong Mada road to the route leading to Singha Park, was inundated. While the water level is not dangerously high, the current is strong. Police are advising drivers to exercise extreme caution or seek alternate routes. Chiang Rai Governor Choocheep Pongchai has ordered the provincial disaster relief office and local councils to provide immediate assistance. Emergency teams are on the ground conducting rescue operations and assessing property damage, with the safety of residents as their top priority. Officials are closely monitoring river levels to prevent further disasters. Data from the Ban Mae Sat warning station shows 99 millimeters of rain in 12 hours, with a peak of 4.5 millimeters in fifteen minutes. The Ban Nong Khiao station recorded 108 millimeters by early morning. Weather experts attribute these intense, concentrated rainfall events to the power of the rainy season. Officials are maintaining a high alert for low-lying areas and advising travelers to stay informed. Information Source: Chiang Rai Times