CHIANG MAI: Many roads in downtown Chiang Mai were quickly flooded as heavy rain pounded the northern capital on Thursday morning.
The downpour hit Muang district around 4.30am, triggering flash floods in many areas.
Five roads were under 10-30 centimetres of water -- a section of Chang Khan Road between Bua Rawong and Chang Khan, Prachasamphan Road, the entrance of Chiang Mai airport, Boonruangrit Road and Soi Sripingmuang -- according to the provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office twitter account.
Crews from Muang Chiang Mai municipality, the provincial irrigation office, the 33rd military circle, the provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office, police and volunteers were working to pump water out of affected areas.
A stretch of road in front of Chiang Mai airport was reported to be impassable to small vehicles. In some places the water was 40-50cm deep.
Rainfall was measured at 81.6 milimetres in Muang district. The morning traffic congestion was even worse than usual.
A motorist in a stalled car gets a push on a flooded road in Muang district of Chiang Mai on Thursday morning (Photo by Panumet Tanraksa)