By NNN-TNA,
Chiang Rai : Several northern Thai provinces were inundated Sunday following heavy downpours and flash floods late Saturday, provincial emergency response workers were busily pumping floodwater from numerous communities and flood-prone roads.
In Wiang Pa Pao district of the northernmost province of Chiang Rai, water overflowing from a reservoir swept six villages damaging over one thousand homes. Floodwaters in some areas were deeper than one metre.
Villagers were unable to move their personal effects to higher ground because the flood hit their villages during the night.
The Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai roadway was under water some 50 centimetres deep, making it difficult for small vehicles to pass.
In Chiang Mai, a flash flood from Doi Suthep overflowed brooks and inundated about 10
houses in a community area while traffic within the heart of the city became difficult as several roads were under water. Municipality workers pumped floodwaters, and indicated that they believed the situation would return to normal late Sunday.
Sixty homes in two Lampang villages were flooded late Saturday and local authorities warned residents that further heavy rain was expected.
As the monsoon season is now affecting Thailand’s weather systems, Apichai Chawacharoenphan,director-general of the Mineral Resources Department, issued a warning that residents in the mountains or along waterways in 12 northern and northeastern provinces should be on alert for mudslides and flash floods in the next few days as low pressure is expected to pass through the regions bringing heavy rains.