Two people died in mud slides in Mae Ai district of Chiang Mai last night and four are still missing following torrential rainfall, leading to the worst flooding in the district for three decades.
Searches for those still missing resumed this morning in Ban Doi Laem and Ban Lai Ai in Mae Ai districts, which were struck by mud slides last night. Emergency workers say that their efforts are being hampered torrents of muddy water.
Photo: Chiang Mai
In Ban Doi Laem, a villager died in the mud slide and four went missing, including one five-month-old girl, a 4-year-old boy and the village’s headman. In Ban Lai Ai, one was killed and two were injured.
An emergency operations centre has been set up at the Doi Lang Tambon Administration Organisation’s office, while the voluntary border guard barracks in Mae Ai district are being used as a command centre in the coordination of the search and relief operations.
Chiang Mai Governor Nirat Pongsitthithavorn has instructed all district chiefs to monitor the situations in their respective districts closely and to have their manpower and machinery ready around the clock to respond to requests for help.
Photo: Chiang Mai
In one place, rescuers installed a rope across a heavily-flooded road to save five adults and one child who were trapped in their flooded house.
According to Chiang Mai’s public relations web page, the highway in villages 4 and 5 of Mae Ai district is partially flooded, leaving a single lane still open for traffic.
Motorists are being advised to use extra caution when using that part of the highway.
Meanwhile, in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai, heavy rain throughout Tuesday night has caused floodwater to rise steadily, with levels of 2-3 metres in low-lying communities, such as Talad Mai Loong Khon, Pham Kwai and Muang Daeng. Some people are taking refuge on the roofs of their houses.
Photo: Chiang Rai
Electricity supplies to a number of communities have been cut for safety reasons and troops, from the Meng Rai Maharaj barracks, are helping flood victims, particularly those in high risk areas.
At about midnight, rescue officials posted an urgent message on social media, advising residents in eight communities not to venture out of their flooded homes because of the dangerously strong currents.
They were advised to climb onto their roofs while teams were trying to reach them.
Photo: Chiang Rai
The eight communities are Sai Lom Joi, Koh Sai, Hua Fai, Muang Daeng, Mai Loong Khun, Muang Daeng Tai, Pham Kwai and Pent Yon.
Phrom Viharn Temple and the municipal office of Mai Sai sub-district have been opened as temporary shelters for flood victims.
Several communities in Mae Sai and Wiang Pangkham sub-districts, such as Doi Wao, Muang Dang, Talad Sai Lom Joi, Hua Fai, Koh Sai and Mai Loong Khon, are inundated, affecting hundreds of households.
The Chumchon Kho Mae Sai webpage reported that many flood victims have sought help, with numerous people trapped in houses, while others have sought refuge on roofs.
Photo: Chiang Rai
The heavy flooding forced the temporary closure of the border checkpoint between Mae Sai and Tachileik township in Myanmar at noon today. Only citizens of the two countries were allowed to cross the border, while vehicles carrying goods were prohibited.
A large amount of garbage, tree trunks and branches have been washed downstream by the strong currents in the swollen Sai River and have become trapped at the First Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, prompting Thai and Burmese officials to deploy workers to collect the trash for disposal elsewhere.
At about 2pm yesterday, it was reported that part of the Phahonyothin highway, heading towards Doi Wao market, was flooded for the first time in many years.
A command centre has been set up to coordinate the rescue and relief operations of several emergency units.
Flood victims in need of help can call: 084-2261669, 053-733422 or 090-0962255. In the last few months, Mae Sai has been flooded multiple times by overflows from the Sai River, following heavy rainfall in the northern region.
