CHIANG RAI: The economic centre of Thailand’s northernmost province is now inundated, with floodwaters reaching waist-deep levels and continuing to rise due to the overflowing Kok River.
Flooding on Thursday led to the closure of Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport, with a Thai AirAsia flight departing at 1.10pm the last flight to operate.
Officials announced the closure of roads and bridges in Muang district on Thursday morning, affecting access to key locations, including Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport, the five-way Pho Khun intersection and the provincial hall.
Evacuations began Wednesday night, as residents were unable to remain in the ground-floor homes due to strong currents. Jet skis were deployed to aid in evacuating those trapped by the fast-flowing floodwaters.
Muang district is among six districts affected by floods in Chiang Rai. The others are Chiang Khong, Chiang Saen, Mae Chan, Mae Fah Luang and Mae Sai.
More than 10,000 households have been affected, with three deaths reported in Mae Fah Luang.
The Office of National Water Resources reported on Thursday that over 40 provinces remained on alert for possible flash floods as a new tropical depression is expected to strengthen through Sept 18.
Since Tuesday, at least nine people have died due to floods in the northern provinces of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, according to the government.
The Meteorological Department said more torrential rain nationwide is expected from Friday to early next week.
Since Aug 16, floods and landslides have killed 33 people across Thailand and affected nearly 110,000 households, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.
In Thailand, about 34,000 households, mostly in the northern region, have been affected by Typhoon Yagi, the strongest storm to hit Asia this year. The storm has also wreaked havoc in neighbouring Vietnam, where it left at least 157 people dead and 139 more missing.
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