Flooding in Chiang Rai Province has killed three people in less than a week, most recently a 56-year-old man in Tambon Tap Tao, Amphoe Thoeng. Chiang Rai Disaster Prevention and Mitigation officials reported that Mr. Surachai, aged 56, was swept away by the flash flood along with a motorcycle yesterday,
According to villagers, the deceased heard the news that a flash flood was coming and called his wife to flee to higher ground.
Mr. Surachai hurried to move his motorcycle, which was parked near the stream, but he could not move it in time, and the flood waters swept him and his motorcycle away. Rescuers have been unable to find his body.
The Chiang Rai Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department reported initial damage in the flood-affected areas, which included 10 districts, 29 sub-districts, 192 villages, and 7,591 households. The area with the most severe flooding was Tambon Tap Tao, Amphoe Thoeng, which received water flowing down from Doi Pha Mon, resulting in widespread flooding, especially in Ban Ton Khueng and Ban Krai.
The flooding caused severe damage to people’s properties because the water came so fast that they could not move their belongings in time to escape the water. The high floodwaters damaged electrical appliances, motorcycles, cars, and many other properties. In some communities, the water reached the second floor of the houses.
Yesterday morning, a landslide blocked the village entrance and exit at Ban Huai Po, Village No. 17, Tambon Po, Amphoe Wiang Kaen, Chiang Rai Province. In Ban Lu, there were reports that 3 cars were submerged in the pomelo orchard.
Throughout the day, officials rushed to bring in machinery to help clear the landslide and repair the damaged roads and bridges caused by the flood.
At 3:20 p.m., Mr. Thanakrit Matphuthon, assistant village headman and chairman of the Village Defense Volunteers (VDP), revealed that the water level in Por Subdistrict had decreased because it is a high mountain area.
He said their priority would be to urgently help the villagers and bring in a backhoe to clear the landslide route, including repairing the bridge damaged by the flood.
He emphasized that those who want to send help please donate rice, dry food, and blankets. Donations can be made at the house of the headman of the Por Subdistrict.
Meanwhile, a teacher at Banphot Witthaya School, Doi Pha Tang, Wiang Kaen District of Chiang Rai, posted a message on Facebook asking for help after a landslide blocked the school’s entrance, trapping 12 people. She said several power poles had fallen, and the electricity was out.
Their phone signals kept coming and going, so they could not chat, and their calls were interrupted.
For three weeks, heavy rain has been falling in many areas in Chiang Rai Province. Floodwaters and landslides have washed away roads, houses, orchards, and farms, causing millions of dollars in damage.
Chiang Rai’s Thoeng and Wiang Kaen Districts Report the Worst Flooding in 30 Years
https://www.chiangraitimes.com/chiangrai-news/chiang-rai-flooding-emergency/
