State Railways of Thailand (SRT) announced the suspension of all north-bound train services today, after landslides at the entrance to the Khuntan train tunnel, making it impassable.
According to SRT, landslides occurred at two locations following heavy rain Sunday night, one at the entrance to the tunnel and the other at KM 684/3-4, between Khuntan and Tha Chompoo stations, resulting in track subsidence.
Train services between Lampang and Chiang Mai have been completely suspended. All passengers bound for Chiang Mai are being asked to disembark at Lampang station and board buses to their destination.
The SRT also said that the rising Wang River may flood certain sections of the tracks between Lampang and Chiang Mai.
Meanwhile, in Hang Chat district of Lampang, two women are reported to be missing after they were swept away by strong currents last night.
Ladda Usatham, assistant head of Ban Huai Rian, reportedly said that one victim, identified only as 48-year-old “Thiam”, ventured out of her family’s home, located near the Mae Tan creek, and was swept away by the strong currents. A search and rescue operation was subsequently launched, but to no avail.
About 40 houses in Ban Pan Pong, Ban Pang Sai, Ban Mae Tan Noi and Ban Huai Rian were damaged by strong currents from the overflowing Mae Tan creek.
In Ban Pha Charoen, in the Na Duang district of the north-eastern province of Loi, residents complain that this is the fourth flood this year, after a flash flood cascaded down the mountains into their village, adding that the drains in the village are clogged with detritus, making it impossible for the excess water to drain away.
