Chiang Mai —
On October 4th, 2024, Thai national media highlighted the ongoing flood crisis in Chiang Mai, as the water levels in the Ping River peaked at 4.81 meters overnight and began rising again this morning.
Continuous heavy rain, especially in the northern areas, caused massive runoff from Chiang Dao, Wiang Haeng, Mae Taeng, and the Mae Rim districts to flow into the Ping River. According to Thai national media, this led to widespread flooding in central Chiang Mai, affecting the same areas that had been previously hit.
Residents were better prepared due to prior warnings, allowing them to secure their belongings in time. Local authorities, including rescue teams and local officials, continue evacuations, especially for vulnerable groups, and are working tirelessly to manage water flow and assist affected communities.
Chiang Mai Irrigation Director, Kuakoon Manasampanthasakul, warned that tonight’s water levels could surpass previous records, potentially increasing the severity of flooding across all seven city zones, as earlier floodwaters have yet to recede. Officials are holding emergency meetings to assess the situation and improve their response.
Reservoirs like Mae Ngat Dam and medium-sized local water storage facilities have reached full capacity, though no additional water releases are planned. However, water is naturally overflowing from drainage structures, affecting areas downstream.
Local authorities issued warnings to these areas and are maintaining close communication with local leaders. Landslide warnings have also been issued, as the region has seen constant rain over the past month, significantly raising the risk of landslides across almost all regions.
The Chiang Mai Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (CMFORCE) has mobilized additional resources to support flood relief, including large-scale water pumps, small trucks, evacuation vehicles, and high-performance water-pumping units.
These resources, along with personnel, are being redirected from recently completed relief efforts in Nong Khai to assist with the Chiang Mai flooding.
Residents needing assistance are urged to contact the Chiang Mai Emergency Operations Center at 083 704 3675, or the Chiang Mai Provincial Command Center at 053 221 470, with a hotline available at 1567.
