Tropical Storm Wipha leads to devastating flooding in Thailand, resulting in six fatalities
Tropical Storm Wipha has been active since July 21, 2025, and its ongoing impact can be observed in various parts of Thailand. The storm has resulted in six fatalities and affected over 230,000 people in 74,597 households across 12 provinces.
Heavy rains from the storm have inundated 12 provinces in Thailand, including Nan, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Lampang, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Phrae, Sukhothai, Tak, Uttaradit, Loei, and Phitsanulok. The majority of the affected provinces are located in the northern and central regions.
The flooding and landslides have primarily impacted these regions, and images on social media show murky floodwaters, sandbags outside homes, and residents using plastic boats to navigate submerged streets. The storm has made destructive floods more likely, and the ongoing flooding underscores the potential risks and impacts of climate change-induced weather patterns in Thailand.
Scientists attribute more intense weather patterns during monsoon seasons in Thailand to man-made climate change. The ongoing flooding from Tropical Storm Wipha serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks and impacts of climate change on the country.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation continues to closely monitor the situation and assist affected provinces. The agency is coordinating with affected provinces to assist those in need and is making public statements about the situation on its official Facebook page.
The meteorological department predicts that rainfall from Tropical Storm Wipha will ease in the coming days, which should help alleviate flooding risks. However, the prediction does not indicate a halt in the storm's impact on the 12 affected provinces.
In 2011, widespread flooding across Thailand resulted in more than 500 fatalities and significant damage to millions of homes. The current flooding from Tropical Storm Wipha serves as a reminder of the devastating impact that extreme weather events can have on the country.
Authorities continue to accelerate recovery efforts, and the disaster affected 74 districts, 364 sub-districts, and 2,387 villages overall. The provinces most affected with ongoing flooding include Nan, Chiang Rai, Sukhothai, and Phitsanulok, although water levels are receding with improving trends in these areas.
In conclusion, Tropical Storm Wipha has caused significant flooding and displacement in northern and central Thailand, resulting in casualties and widespread displacement. However, conditions are improving, and rainfall is forecast to decrease shortly. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and accelerate recovery efforts.
[1] Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. (2025). Tropical Storm Wipha Update. Retrieved from https://www.ddpm.go.th/news/tropical-storm-wipha-update
[2] Meteorological Department of Thailand. (2025). Tropical Storm Wipha Forecast. Retrieved from https://www.tmd.go.th/en/forecast/tropical-storms/wipha.html
Environmental science indicates that more intense weather patterns during monsoon seasons, such as those exhibited by Tropical Storm Wipha, are attributed to man-made climate change. The ongoing flooding from the storm highlights the potential risks and impacts of climate change on the Thai weather and environment.
Scientists and meteorological departments have predicted that rainfall from Tropical Storm Wipha will ease in the coming days, but the storm's ongoing impact on the 12 affected provinces remains a concern for the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, as they continue to closely monitor the situation and assist those in need.
