Heavy downpours triggered flash floods, river overflows and landslides across several districts of the northern Thai province of Nan early Wednesday morning, rendering multiple roads and bridges impassable and inundating homes.
The Nan Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office reported that intense rainfall, starting around 4am, caused rapid runoff that submerged residential areas in Pua, Phu Phiang and Santi Suk districts.
Pua was the hardest hit, with floodwaters rushing through multiple sub-districts, including Ouan, Woranakhon, Sila Laeng, Chai Watthana and Pua.
Local authorities dispatched emergency crews to evacuate residents and perform initial damage assessments after a Cell Broadcast alert was issued at 6.18am, urging villagers in flood-risk areas to move their belongings to higher ground immediately and contact village headmen for evacuation support.
The Nan Highway Office 2 reported severe road disruptions, closing traffic on Highway 101 between Chang Phueak intersection and Pua, Highway 1371 near Ban Fai Bridge and Highway 1256 leading to Doi Phu Kha National Park, where a bridge collapsed.
Warning signs and safety barriers have been erected and motorists are advised to avoid the affected routes.
The Northern Meteorological Centre advises that light to moderate rain continues to cover the entire province and surrounding areas and that residents near hillsides and in low-lying areas should remain vigilant for runoffs and localised flooding from the accumulated rainfall.
