Mae Sai on High Alert for Flash Floods Amid Rising River Levels

Residents living near the Sai River in Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai, have been advised to closely monitor water levels and prepare for potential flash floods. Authorities are urging vulnerable populations, including the elderly and patients, to be ready for evacuation to higher ground. The Mae Sai Municipality Office has identified four communities, including Sai Lom Joy located by the Sai River, as being at high risk of inundation should the river banks breach. Residents are instructed to prioritize the evacuation of the elderly and sick and be prepared to move to safe locations following an official evacuation announcement. The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department has issued a warning message via mobile broadcast regarding the rising water levels in the district's river. Riverside areas in Mae Sai district are prone to severe flooding, with authorities attributing the problem to several structures built into the river that obstruct its flow. Mae Sai serves as a crucial trade post between Thailand and Myanmar, separated by the Sai River. Separately, the Meteorological Department has forecast that Chiang Rai will be among the provinces most affected by storms. Other districts in Chiang Rai with potential flooding include Mae Suai and areas impacted by the surging Lao River. Muang district could also be affected as water from the Lao River flows into the Kok River, which passes through the city.