Cleanup Efforts Continue in Chiang Mai as Chao Phraya Dam Reduces Discharge
PUBLISHED: 12 Oct 2024 at 17:16
UPDATED: 12 Oct 2024 at 17:29
Flood-related incidents have claimed the lives of three individuals in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Yala as the southern border region braces for more rain, raising concerns about flash floods and forest runoff.
Two victims perished in the Phrom Khiri district of Nakhon Si Thammarat while visiting the Wang Lung waterfall. Heavy rain in the mountains caused unexpected forest runoff, sweeping them away. A third victim, 66-year-old Koder Luebaji from Yala, was killed when a heavy rainstorm caused his house on a canal bank to collapse.
Rescue operations reported that six family members of Koder managed to survive by fleeing to a nearby relative’s house. Additionally, two homes along a canal were destroyed, but three individuals trapped in trees were rescued.
Heavy rainfall resulted in landslides in several areas of Betong and Than To districts, knocking down electric poles and blocking roads. Rescue and assistance efforts are ongoing, with water levels gradually subsiding.
Major damages include the destruction of a bridge at the Tambon Dok Chang intersection, prompting road closures and diversions. The Meteorological Department warns that heavy rain will persist in southern provinces along the Gulf of Thailand, urging residents to prepare for possible flash floods and hazardous conditions.
Cleanup in Chiang Mai
In Chiang Mai, extensive cleanup efforts are underway, with nine roads closed to clear debris and water pumps deployed to drain low-lying areas. Officials in Lamphun have requested assistance from the navy for boat deployment to expedite floodwater removal, anticipated to be completed by mid-month.
The Chao Phraya Dam has reduced water releases to 2,000 cubic meters per second to mitigate flooding impacts downstream, with the alert level set at 2,730 cubic meters per second. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reports that flooding has affected 49,724 households across 56 districts in 13 provinces.
In Chiang Mai, temperatures have dropped to 9°C at Doi Inthanon, with even cooler weather expected in the days ahead. Preparations for the upcoming tourist season are in place, with new attractions set to be introduced while managing visitor numbers to preserve the environment.
