Mr Tassanai said the road was temporarily closed to traffic by the landslide which occurred near Ban Hua Meng in Tambon Wiang of Chiang Khong district.

The road was re-opened after tractors were used to clear off the soil and rocks.

Mr Tassanai said he had earlier called a meeting of community leaders and local administrations to tell them to be prepared for possible flooding caused by overflows from the Mekong River, and for riverside residents to be on alert for possbile evacuation.

Meanwhile, heavy rain on Doi Nang Non mountain range on Monday afternoon caused rainwater to flow to inundate more than 500 houses in tambons Pong Pha and Pong Ngam in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district.

Phahon Yothin highway between Chiang Rai-Mae Sai was flooded with some spots being over 50 centimetres under water, making the road impassable to all kinds of vehicles.