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According to the Bangkok Post, Thai government forces, including soldiers and volunteers, have been urgently mobilized to fill sandbags to prevent the worsening flooding situation, especially as another flood wave is expected to hit central Chiang Mai on the evening of September 25th.
The Ping River's water level has exceeded the warning threshold, threatening to submerge the entire city center of Chiang Mai. Images of submerged houses and streets turned into rivers are vividly etched in everyone's minds. The water level at Nawarat Bridge, measured at 6:00 AM on September 25th, exceeded the maximum level of 4.45 meters. The river continues to rise, flooding the vast central area of Chiang Mai.
The military quickly erected sandbag barriers to protect against the approaching natural disaster.
Faced with the urgent situation, local authorities quickly implemented response measures. Trucks loaded with sandbags continuously drove along the banks of the Ping River, forming a solid wall to block the raging water. Volunteers, with the support of the armed forces, worked day and night, diligently stacking sandbags one by one. In addition, local residents were also provided with sufficient sandbags to protect their homes.
Many drainage pipes have burst due to being overloaded by the excessive floodwaters. In the central Muang district, the water level reached 30-50 cm or even more, making some areas impassable. Many residents believe the current situation bears similarities to the worst floods in Chiang Mai in 2022.
According to the announcement, the Chiang Mai city government has opened temporary shelters at the city hospital for those in need, prioritizing bedridden patients and the elderly. Authorities have been urged to remain highly vigilant as a new wave of flooding is expected to hit the city tonight.
The water level of the Ping River has exceeded the warning threshold, threatening to submerge the entire downtown area of Chiang Mai.
The Royal Irrigation Department stated that Typhoon Soulik, with its devastating power, swept through the Chiang Mai area, leaving behind severe consequences. Following the typhoon was a low-pressure system, bringing torrential rains that continued to fall from September 21st. The combination of these two extreme natural events caused a sudden rise in the water level of the Ping River, resulting in severe flooding that submerged many areas of the city.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra reiterated on September 24th that the government's top priority is addressing the flooding, supporting flood victims, and quickly mitigating the consequences in flood-ravaged areas. Tourists visiting Thailand should prepare thoroughly, research the local flooding situation to ensure their safety, and stay updated on safe locations to travel to if necessary.
The Chiang Mai city authorities have issued a warning to tourists to ensure their safety in the current situation.
Chiang Rai, particularly the districts of Mae Sai and Mueang, remains submerged in muddy, murky water following a historic flood. Statistics show this to be the worst flood in three decades, devastating the lives of local residents. When the water recedes, what remains is a scene of devastation: ruined houses, uprooted trees, and litter everywhere. Tens of thousands of tons of household and industrial waste, swept away by the floodwaters, now cover roads and fields, causing severe environmental pollution.
