PRESS RELEASE:
Floods have affected 37 provinces across Thailand since mid-August, leaving 49 people dead and impacting nearly 176,000 households.
According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), floods have struck areas in the North, Northeast, and Central regions, including Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Loei, and Nong Khai. The DDPM has reported that 213 districts and over 4,930 villages have been impacted by flooding and landslides, damaging homes and infrastructure.
The death toll includes 26 fatalities attributed directly to flooding—most notably in Chiang Rai, Phayao, Lampang, Nan, Phrae, and Sukhothai—alongside 23 landslide-related deaths in Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. The DDPM is currently monitoring 18 provinces that are still dealing with active flooding, affecting more than 32,900 households in 73 districts. Key provinces include Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Lampang, and Lamphun, where severe weather conditions continue to create hazardous conditions and disrupt recovery operations.
In Chiang Rai, four districts, including the capital district and Wiang Pa Pao, are grappling with the aftermath of flash floods and landslides. The province has recorded 14 deaths and two injuries, making it one of the hardest-hit areas. Although water levels are beginning to recede in some areas, local authorities remain vigilant as rains persist. In Chiang Mai, heavy downpours caused flooding and landslides in three districts, impacting seven households, while officials continue to drain floodwaters as water levels rise.
The situation in other provinces varies, with some areas stabilizing while others continue to face ongoing challenges. In Lamphun, rising water levels are affecting seven districts, impacting over 4,100 households. Lampang province is also dealing with severe flooding in five districts, with three deaths and four injuries reported. Meanwhile, in Phrae and Nan, flash floods have subsided, and efforts are underway to restore normalcy. However, provinces like Phetchabun, Sukhothai, and Phitsanulok are still experiencing high water levels in rivers and low-lying areas, with local officials focusing on emergency relief and support for affected communities.
In the Northeast, Nong Khai is dealing with overflow from the Mekong River, affecting more than 7,700 households. Udon Thani, Chaiyaphum, and Ubon Ratchathani are also facing flood-related challenges, with flash floods reported in several districts. In the Central region, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya remains vulnerable due to increased water releases from the Chao Phraya Dam, which has caused flooding in six districts and impacted nearly 7,000 households.
The DDPM, along with other government agencies, has been deploying personnel and emergency response units to affected areas. The Ministry of Public Health has set up temporary shelters and is providing health services to residents in impacted regions. The Royal Thai Navy is also assisting with sandbagging and logistics, as well as distributing cooked meals to displaced families. In Nan province, the Chulabhorn Research Institute has been delivering royal relief supplies to those in need.
The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) has issued alerts for potential flooding in Bangkok and five surrounding provinces—Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, and Samut Prakan—due to continuous rainfall, river runoff from the North, and high tides expected until October 2. Communities located outside flood embankments along the Chao Phraya, Mae Klong, and Thachin rivers have been advised to remain on high alert.
In response to rising water levels, the Royal Irrigation Department has increased outflow at the Chao Phraya Dam in Chai Nat to 1,800 cubic meters per second to accommodate the higher volume of water coming from the North. The measure is expected to raise water levels by approximately 30 centimeters in downstream areas, prompting warnings for riverside communities to prepare for potential flooding in the coming days.
Authorities continue to urge residents in affected and at-risk areas to monitor weather forecasts and follow evacuation orders if necessary. The DDPM remains on standby to respond to emergencies and provide assistance as needed, while efforts are ongoing to deliver relief supplies, restore damaged infrastructure, and support the recovery of flood-impacted communities across the country.
The preceding is a press release from the Thai Government PR Department.
