Mae hong son: Flash floods in Mae Hong Son province have severely damaged a central pier of the Huai Pong Bridge, leading to its temporary closure and cutting off Highway 108, the vital Khun Yuam-Mae Hong Son route. Authorities have constructed a temporary bridge to allow vehicles to pass, alleviating the hardship for those affected.
According to Thai News Agency, the incident occurred around 9:05 PM last night, when heavy rain caused flash floods to surge under a temporary bridge near Ban Huai Pong on Highway 108. The strong current swept debris and garbage onto the bridge, continuously pushing against it, resulting in damage to one of the central piers. As a safety measure, authorities immediately closed the road temporarily, allowing only pedestrians and motorcycles to pass.
This morning, the Huai Pong Bridge in Huai Pong Subdistrict, Mueang Mae Hong Son District, remains closed to all types of vehicles, causing long traffic jams that have persisted since last night. Officials and the Mae Hong Son Highway Department are currently assessing the damage and coordinating with the Bridge Construction and Rehabilitation Center No. 1 in Phichit to inspect and plan repairs. To alleviate inconvenience, vans are being arranged to transport passengers traveling to Mae Hong Son city from Khun Yuam District, and referral vehicles are being used for patients with medical appointments to reach Sri Sangwan Hospital.
The Huai Pong Bridge is a crucial route connecting Mae Hong Son town and Khun Yuam district. Its disruption significantly impacts logistics and transportation, including the supply of fuel and consumer goods from Chiang Mai, and halts bus services on the Bangkok-Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son routes. The public is advised to monitor the situation closely and avoid using this route until further notice from the highway department.
Authorities have recently constructed a temporary bridge for vehicles to pass, allowing only six-wheeled vehicles weighing no more than 20 tons, while larger trucks are still restricted from passage.