Atipach Chomdang, director of the Hydrological Division Chiang Rai, issued a warning yesterday (Sept 23) that excessive rainfall in Ban Pa Sang Pattana and Ban Rong in Wiang Pa Pao district could cause flash floods there.
According to him, heavy rain on Sunday night resulted in the Lao River overflowing in the district, affecting about 30 households in Pa Ngew, Ban Pong and Wiang sub-districts, reports the Bangkok Post.
Mr Atipach also reported landslides in tambon Mae Chedi Mai, which blocked traffic in the area before local authorities removed the blockage.
Wiang Pa Pao Police Station’s Facebook page recently posted pictures and video clips of flooded Highway 118, which links Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai.
According to the post, the flooded part of the highway is in Ban Pa Ngew village in tambon Pa Ngew. The flood forced the authorities to close the highway.
Banpachan School in tambon Wiang Ka Long was also forced to close due to flooding, authorities confirmed.
Chiang Rai governor Puttipong Sirimat said he had met with local agencies to follow up on the province’s flood recovery operations, including a “big clean-up” mission.
He said the authorities and volunteers have been helping to clean up public areas and private residences affected by the flooding, especially those belonging to vulnerable groups such as the disabled and elderly people.
The clean-up is expected to be completed by Sunday, he said.
This came as Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed he is due to ask the Cabinet today to consider exempting flood victims from paying this month’s electricity and water bills.
Anutin said the proposal is meant to help residents living in areas which have been declared a disaster zone.
“The main focus now is to help and support flood victims so their lives can return to normal as quickly as possible,” he said.
Meanwhile, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) announced yesterday that train services were halted by a landslide and flooding on the northern route between Lampang and Chiang Mai stations.
The suspension came after a landslide and runoff damaged the tracks between Mae Tan Noi station in Lampang and Tha Chompoo in Lamphun on Sunday night.
All northern-bound trains to Chiang Mai currently stop at Lampang station due to the situation.