Landslide kills 6 as floods ravage North

Inundated homes and businesses on Wednesday in tambon Wiang Pang Kham of Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai, one of the worst-flood-affected provinces in the upper North. Floodwater rose to two metres in some areas, forcing the evacuation of many residents. (Photos: Wiang Phang Kham Subdistrict municipality)
Inundated homes and businesses in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district on Wednesday in one of the worst-affected regions in the middle North, tambon Wiang Pang Kham. In some places, rainwater reached two meters, causing some residents to flee. ( Photos: Wiang Phang Kham Subdistrict municipality )

As the North continues to suffer from bad weather, the Mae Sai region in Chiang Rai has been hit by floods, while in Chiang Mai, just south of the city, six people have died from a landslide.

Disaster mitigation authorities reported big flood in the Mae Sai district’s tambon Mae Sai, Wiang Pang Kham, and Koh Chang, which are located in Chiang Rai’s northern territory. The rainwater was about one inch heavy and flowing powerfully, they said on Wednesday.

In Mae Sai area, flood-affected areas close to the overflowing Sai River have been given instructions to get ready for possible departure. Floodwater was seen pouring out of Tham Luang Cave, a popular tourist destination for a group of Thai boys who had been on a mission to rescue a group of students in 2018, in Tham Luang-Khun Nam Nang Non National Park, even in Mae Sai area.

Sutthipong Julcharoen, continuous director for inside, said Mae Sai city faced its sternest flooding in 80 years.

In Mae Fah Luang city, a residence was hit by a disaster. One native was killed, two injured and another was also missing. The Kok River’s flow rate, which was reportedly swollen by Myanmar’s discharge, was critical, at 1, 000 cubic meters per second, according to local water authorities.

In Chiang Rai, firefighters were assisting stranded residents of their properties. Some people posted pictures of the inundation at their homes as well as requests for assistance on social media. Recovery attempts were hard due to the strong current. Prior to departure, evacuated residents were advised to proceed to higher surface but avoid wading through the quickly-flowing water.

Somewhere, people of single-storey homes were seen sitting stranded on their buildings. In flooded homes, there were elderly people who could n’t climb that high.

On Tuesday, two floods struck tambon Doi Laem in the Mae Ai area of Chiang Mai, injuring three people and killing six people. Individuals in nearby towns have been warned about potential display storms and discharge.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on Wednesday that she had no authority to issue any orders as leading until she made her government policy speech to the parliament on Thursday.

Nevertheless, she claimed that Phumtham Wechayachai, the deputy prime minister, and defence minister, had informed her that men have been assigned to assist in the flood-stricken regions.

In Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai city, two shelters are being set up for disaster victims, according to Ms. Paetongtarn, and a large house with 600 foods portions per food has been constructed.

She said the aid and support are still not enough, however, and all companies are working to address the situation. Due to the tides, the authorities continue to be unable to accomplish some victims, adding that they will assist as soon as these decline. About 9, 000 communities are being affected by the floods, said Ms Paetongtarn.

According to Mr. Phumtham, the government is paying close attention to the Mae Sai condition, and that the storms will be the first topic the prime minister names when she delivers her policy statement on Thursday.

The primary leader’s secretary-general, Prommin Lertsuridej, has arranged for a gathering of companies at parliament at 2pm on Thursday to find ways to deal with the problem.

Residents of Chiang Rai's tambon Wiang Phang Kham climb to the roof of their homes to avoid flood.

Residents of Chiang Rai’s tambon Wiang Phang Kham climb to the roof of their homes to avoid flood.