Several northern and northeastern provinces of Thailand are flooded today, after they were lashed by torrential rains induced by a monsoon trough.

In Wiang Sa district, of the northern province of Nan, civilian and military rescue teams were dispatched to Tambon Klang Wiang on Friday night to help evacuate residents to higher ground and to provide them with food and drinking water.

In some villages, the floodwater is two metres deep, leaving residents unable to leave after a flash food swept into Wiang Sa district.

The level of the Nan River was measured at 7.23 metres this morning, which is 23cm above its banks, but the level remains stable, according to the provincial office. In Wiang Sa district, however, the water level of the river is almost three metres above its banks and is still rising.

In Tha Pla district of the northern province of Uttradit, about 500 households are flooded and the road from the province to the Sirikit Dam has become impassable in Tambon Haad Ngiew, following three days of heavy rain.

In Mae Hong Son province, the Pai River has burst its banks and inundated farmland on both sides of the river. Some roads are blocked due to landslides. Governor Suwapong Kitipatpiboon has told officials to be on the alert for more flooding, as heavy rains continue.

About 1,600 hectares of farmland, in Salaypoom district of the northeastern province of Roi-et, are under water as the river level rises.

In Roi-et province, irrigation officials opened a sluice gate to discharge excess water from the Young River into three “monkey cheeks” or water retention areas.