Chiang rai: Heavy rain lashed Chiang Rai all night, causing flash floods that severely affected two districts. A yellow alert was issued for Ban Huai Khrai Lan Thong and Ban Khrai in Thoeng district.
According to Thai News Agency, heavy rain fell throughout Chiang Rai overnight, causing flash floods in several areas of Chiang Khong and Thoeng districts. The flooding was particularly severe in low-lying areas at the foot of mountains along the Chiang Saen-Chiang Khong road bordering the Mekong River. In Ban Huai Nam Yen, flash floods submerged houses and roads to a depth of approximately 20 centimeters, making travel difficult. A short distance further away, at the foot of the mountain before the Huai Sai Man viewpoint in Rim Khong subdistrict, water from the Huai Sai Man stream overflowed, leaving only one lane passable for pickup trucks.
Chiang Khong Police Station has announced that motorists traveling on the Chiang Saen-Chiang Khong road should avoid this route and use alternative routes due to heavy rain. The road at Ban Huai Nam Yen is cut off and impassable. Tractors are being used to drain water from various points to clear waterways and allow water to flow quickly into the Mekong River. The Rim Khong Subdistrict Municipality and the Chiang Rai Provincial Administrative Organization are preparing to set up a relief and coordination center.
In addition, several areas in Rim Khong Subdistrict were also flooded, including Ban Mueang Kan, Ban Muang Kan, Ban Kiu Kan, Ban Kiu Doi Luang, Ban Phanasawan, Ban Song Phi Nong, Ban Mai Charoen, and Ban Huai Yen. Several public service units and police outposts of Chiang Khong Police Station were also affected. Meanwhile, the Mekong River is turbid and continuously contains debris and driftwood.
The Flood and Flash Flood Monitoring and Warning Laboratory, Research, Development and Hydrology Division, Department of Water Resources (DWR), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), has issued a yellow alert for Ban Huai Khrai Lan Thong, Wiang Subdistrict, Thoeng District, Chiang Rai Province, due to 100 millimeters of accumulated rainfall in 12 hours. A yellow alert has also been issued for Ban Khrai, Tap Tao Subdistrict, Thoeng District, due to 109.5 millimeters of accumulated rainfall in 12 hours.