Tropical Depression Mulan, which weakened to a low pressure cell as it entered China’s southern province of Yunnan, has caused widespread heavy rainfall in some of Thailand’s northern and north-eastern provinces, causing waterways to overflow and flooding in several areas, according to the Meteorological Department today (Friday).

Affected provinces include Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Uttaradit, Tak, Phitsanuloke, Loei, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, and Udon Thani.

In the Tha Wang Pha district of the northern province of Nan, a flood warning siren sounded at 6.45am today to warn residents along the Nan River to prepare for river overflows. Rainfall in the past 24 hours was measured at 125.5mm in Tha Wang Pha district and 175.2mm in neighbouring Thung Chang district.

Landslides were reported in two villages in Bo Kluea district, blocking the road from Lak Lai to Bo Kluea. Highway officials have been trying to clear away the mud, fallen trees and rocks from the road. People living in four villages in the district have been advised to seek refuge on higher ground.

In the Muang district of Chiang Rai, several houses and shops, and about 2kms of the Phahonyothin Road, were flooded. In Mae Chan district, river overflows breached a sandbag wall and inundated the market and some communities.

In Phichit, the provincial governor has warned people living at the bases of the Phetchabun and Noen Maprang mountains to brace for flash floods. About 800 hectares of rice fields have been inundated.

In Phitsanuloke, troops have been sent to help people in flooded communities and to erect sandbag flood walls.