Forest runoff flooded commercial areas and communities in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai overnight due to heavy rain along the Thailand-Myanmar border in a second bout of flooding in the border district since August.
Hours of heavy rain caused the water level in the Sai River to increase rapidly, causing it to overflow into downtown Mae Sai at around 2am.
The level in the already swollen river increased so rapidly that officials could not issue a warning to local residents in advance. As a result, many did not have time to move their belongings to higher ground.
At around 5.15am, the floodwater began to recede in some areas but the rain continued. Some sections of the river embankment broke, causing water to flow into Koh Sai and Mae Lungkhon communities in tambon Mae Sai. The floodwater was 50cm deep in some places.
It was the second round of flooding in Mae Sai this rainy season. On Aug 14, sudden floods and forest runoff inundated many communities in the district.
In Mae Chan district, Mae Rai creek that runs down from Doi Tung mountain overflowed and flooded San Kong village in tambon Mae Rai. Houses, shops and roads were inundated. Strong currents partially tore down the wall of Wat San Kong.
Mae Sai district chief Narongphol Khid-arn and Chaiya Srisamut, the mayor of Mae Sai municipality, on Saturday led an inspection of the affected areas to provide assistance to flood victims.
In central Ayutthaya province, meanwhile, chiefs of 11 districts and officials inspected flood-hit areas and provided assistance to residents on Saturday.
In Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district, 862 out of 1,320 houses in tambon Ban Kum of Bang Ban district were flooded. Floodwaters rose to the upper floors of some two-storey houses, said Krit Kaewthonglang, chief of the disaster prevention and mitigation office in the district.
Local officials tried to persuade elderly people to leave their flooded homes and stay at a temporary shelter, but 38 elderly people refused as they wanted to guard their properties.
Officials visit flood-hit residents in Bang Ban district of Ayutthaya on Saturday. (Photo: Sunthorn Pongpao)
A video posted by Mae Sai police shows a flooded area in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai.