BANGKOK: Flooding and flash run-off in Nan province had killed two people and affected more than 16,000 residents across 8,000 households as of 4pm on Wednesday (Aug 19).
Pua district was among the worst-hit areas, with flooding reported across seven subdistricts and 60 villages.
The first fatality was a bedridden resident who could not evacuate without assistance and lived with their mother in Moo 8 of Sila Phet subdistrict, Pua district.
The victim was swept from the house by fast-moving floodwater and later found dead.
The Phetkasem Foundation, which was assisting with evacuations, later reported finding the body of a man believed to be aged between 45 and 50 near Ban Fai Mun in Moo 1 of Pha Kha subdistrict, Tha Wang Pha district.
Flooding was also reported in Santi Suk and Mae Charim districts.
Red alerts issued as water moves downstream
Water levels had begun to recede in Pua, but the volume was moving downstream towards Tha Wang Pha and communities along the Nan River and its tributaries.
Critical red alerts were issued for Ban Chiang Yuen in Yom subdistrict and Ban Na Tao in Rim subdistrict of Tha Wang Pha, where water levels continued to rise.
The lower section of Woranakhon Road through Tha Wang Pha market had become impassable.
Rescue teams evacuated 4 vulnerable residents trapped at their homes in Ban Fai Mun.
Nan Municipality warned communities at risk of flooding, particularly those affected in 2006 and 2024, to:
- Move belongings and household equipment to higher ground.
- Prepare food, drinking water and essential medicines.
- Relocate vehicles to safe areas.
- Move vulnerable residents to secure locations.
- Follow official water-level and evacuation announcements.
A temporary evacuation centre has been opened for residents requiring assistance.
Defences reinforced around Nan Hospital
Municipal workers were placing large flood barriers, known as big bags, across gaps behind the Ban Nam Lom community to prevent water from reaching Nan Hospital.
Suraphon Thiansut, mayor of Nan Municipality, said the province remained at risk during the warning period from Aug 18-21 because a monsoon trough was producing heavy accumulated rainfall.
Rainfall had exceeded 200 millimetres across almost all areas and 300mm in Pua district, increasing the volume of water entering tributaries.
Suraphon said officials could not yet predict the eventual water level, although conditions could become comparable to the flooding recorded in 2006.
The municipality was pumping out water at full capacity to give residents more time to protect their belongings.
Large flood barriers and sandbags were also being used to close vulnerable gaps.
Officials said conditions would be assessed using readings from the N.64 monitoring station at Ban Pha Khwang and the N.1 station.
Nan Municipality issued its first warning to flood-prone communities and urged residents to prepare for evacuation if water levels continued rising.
The municipality was also preparing to close Nakhon Nan Pattana Bridge, also known as Nan Hospital Bridge, at 4pm because of the rising water. Motorists were advised to avoid the area.
Collapsed power poles close Route 1256
Nan Highway District 2 closed Route 1256 between Pua, Doi Phu Kha National Park and Bo Kluea to all traffic after high-voltage electricity poles collapsed or became unstable.
Initial inspections found that 15 poles had fallen and about 23 others were leaning, completely cutting road access along the affected section.
Residents and tourists were instructed not to use the route until authorities declared it safe. - The Nation/ANN
