Urgent: Flash Floods Hitting Chiang Mai Villages - Stay Alert! 🚧
Rising water levels in the Mae Klang River may cause sudden flooding in the Chom Thong villages, officials have warned.
Here's the latest scoop on the chaos hitting our beloved Chiang Mai!
As the skies opened up and poured relentlessly, the Mae Klang River in Chom Thong district took a tumultuous turn. According to the Water Resource Office Region 1, the water level at the early warning station in Ban Nam Lad village clocked in at a staggering 3.70 meters, edging dangerously close to the critical level of 4.50 meters at 2.45am.
Given the perilous situation, low-lying areas downstream are at risk of being submerged as the riverbanks start to overflow. As a result, the office has raised the alarm for heightened vigilance and monitoring, with additional warnings for local residents to safeguard themselves.
The "Chiang Mai community traffic radio" Facebook page reported an adrenaline-pumping sight – water surging downstream from the Mae Klang River, originally from Doi Inthanon, swifty joining forces with the Mae Hoi and Mae Ya rivers, causing flash floods in Ban Mae Klang and Ban Lum Moo 4 villages around 2.30am.
Residents in affected areas scrambled to save their belongings amidst the moonlit chaos, leaving them little time to prepare. Local authorities and rescue teams swiftly moved to offer assistance, prioritizing the safety and evacuation of everybody involved.
Flooded Areas to Watch Out For
- Chom Thong District: The water level reached 3.863 meters early Tuesday, with rising waters now sitting ominously close to some submerged roads.
- San Pa Tong District: A total of six sub-districts and 14 villages were affected, forcing the evacuation of 729 households. Authorities are urging residents to brace themselves for rising water levels from the Huai Mae Khan stream.
- Chiang Dao District: Travelers Be warned: a road near the Chao Pho Luang Lham Daeng Shrine was damaged by a landslide, so make sure to double-check your routes before setting off.
Staying Safe in the Chaos
- Ready to Evacuate: Residents in flood-prone areas should be ready to evacuate and move their belongings to higher ground.
- Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated on flood warnings and follow instructions from local authorities.
- Navigation Precautions: Avoid navigating through flooded or damaged roads, and use safety equipment if it's a must.
- Water Management: Local authorities are working hard to improve water flow efficiency by conducting activities like sediment dredging and clearing blockages.
- Emergency Assistance: Disaster relief machinery and teams have been deployed to offer assistance to affected communities.
Extra Measures
- Temporary National Park Closures: Several national parks have temporarily closed attractions due to safety concerns related to the rising water levels.
- Top-Level Involvement: The Prime Minister and Minister of Interior have started monitoring the situation closely and ready themselves for any necessary rapid assistance.
In light of the current flood situation, it's crucial for business owners and health officials to prioritize general news updates in Chiang Mai and adjust their operations accordingly. Meanwhile, weather forecasters must closely monitor the floodwaters in the Chom Thong District, San Pa Tong District, and Chiang Dao District to provide accurate predictions and alerts.
