Bangkok: Heavy rainfall has hit northern Thailand, with Mae Hong Son experiencing a "rain bomb" measuring 76.2 mm of rain, compounded by flash floods and causing significant damage. Meanwhile, Mae Sai in Chiang Rai is on alert as the Sai River's water level has risen to the point of touching the bridge deck. Authorities are urgently repairing leaks and issuing emergency warnings to the public.
According to Thai News Agency, the flood situation in northern Thailand remains worrying after sudden heavy rainfall in several provinces, such as Mae Hong Son. A "rain bomb" phenomenon occurred, with accumulated rainfall reaching 76.2 millimeters. Massive floodwaters surged into the Mae Hong Son municipal area and the villages of Pok Khum Nam and Ban Mai in Pang Mu Subdistrict. At least 20 houses were damaged by the flooding. The strong currents also eroded the embankment of the bypass road leading to the Teachers' Savings Cooperative, causing half a lane to collapse. Authorities have placed traffic cones to cordon off the area for safety. Furthermore, a backhoe belonging to a contractor building an embankment was swept away and submerged in the floodwaters. Agricultural land has suffered extensive damage. Currently, in Ban Huai Suea Thao, Pha Bong Subdistrict, although water levels have receded, the area has sustained significant damage. The Mae Hong Son Meteorological Station continues to warn the public t o remain vigilant as more heavy rainfall is expected between September 8th and 13th.
In Chiang Rai province, at 9:04 AM, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) issued a warning via cell broadcast after heavy rain in upstream areas caused the Sai River to rise rapidly. Near the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge No. 1, the water level was high enough to touch the bridge deck. The water was muddy, reddish, and flowing rapidly, carrying a large amount of debris and garbage that was stuck. The water level was only 50-100 centimeters below the concrete retaining wall. The Mae Sai District Chief led a team to closely monitor the situation and dispatched mobile units to inform residents in low-lying areas along the Sai River, including Wiang Phang Kham, Mae Sai, and Ko Chang subdistricts, to move belongings to higher ground and to take care of vulnerable groups.
Meanwhile, water was found breaching the barrier near the Mae Sai Complex building due to the partial removal of sandbags. The Mae Sai Subdistrict Municipality, along with soldiers from the 3rd Cavalry Company, Taksin Task Force, are urgently using big bags to plug the leaks and prevent water from flooding the economic area.