BANGKOK: Flash floods swept through Pua district in Nan province in northern Thailand early on Wednesday (Aug 19), inundating homes, damaging farmland and cutting major roads after more than 110mm of rain fell overnight.
Reports received at around 6am indicated that heavy rain had continued throughout the night in Phu Kha subdistrict, a forested headwater area. The Doi Phu Kha National Park office recorded more than 110mm of rainfall, triggering rapid runoff and flooding across several parts of Pua.
Residents in affected communities rushed to safety as water surged into residential and agricultural areas. Many had little time to move belongings, electrical appliances and pets to higher ground before floodwater entered their homes, causing widespread damage.
Ban Rong in Pua subdistrict was among the areas badly affected. In Ban Na Lae, on the route towards Doi Phu Kha National Park and Bo Kluea district, a bridge was washed away, leaving the road impassable.
Landslides were also reported at several locations in Ouan subdistrict, blocking roads as officials worked to reach affected communities and provide assistance.
The Nan Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office reported flooding following the heavy rain in Pua and indicated that further updates would be issued as the situation developed.
A bridge in the Fai Chao weir area was also reported to have been washed away, disrupting traffic on the Doi Phu Kha route. Travellers heading towards Pua were advised to avoid affected roads.
Three key highway points closed to traffic
Nan Highway District 2, under the Department of Highways, surveyed flooding on road surfaces and issued traffic warnings after finding three major points where vehicles could no longer pass.
Extreme Alert issued for Pua as heavy rain continues
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), working with mobile network operators AIS, True and NT, sent an extreme alert through the Cell Broadcast system to mobile phones in Pua district.
The DDPM warning read:
“Pua district continues to experience heavy rain, with the risk of flash floods, overflowing waterways and landslides. Residents should immediately move belongings to higher ground and relocate vulnerable people, including older people and bedridden patients. Anyone needing to evacuate or requiring assistance should contact their subdistrict head, village head or local administrative organisation.”
Rain detected across nine upper northern provinces
The Northern Meteorological Centre of the Thai Meteorological Department reported that Lamphun weather radar detected areas of light to moderate rain across nine provinces in the upper North, with rain bands moving towards the south-west. - The Nation/ANN
