Three members of a Lahu family, including a four-month-old baby, were killed by flash floods in Chiang Mai's Fang district on Monday.

Natae Janae, 22, her younger sister Najabo, 12, and her daughter Na-au-tae, four months, were swept away by floods in their village in Wiang sub-district, next to a river in Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park.

Natae's husband escaped and informed the village headman, and a local rescue team found the bodies in a forest in Pongnamron sub-district that evening. They were taken to Fang hospital.

Officials helped residents in two other villages in Wiang sub-district after it rained heavily for two hours and large trees collapsed and blocked a road.

The officials used backhoes and tractors to clean up rubbish, branches and leaves that blocked a bridge, and district chief Manat Khansai ordered rescue officials to closely observe the rising water level in the Mae Jai river. He warned residents living near the river to move their belongings to avoid flood damage. The floods in some areas were 50-60cm high.

Heavy rain on Monday also caused floods and traffic jams in several areas of downtown Chiang Mai including the areas around the Sripingmuang community, Kom Market, the Chiang Mai College of Dramatic Arts and the Mae Kha Canal.

Soldiers from the 33rd military circle set up pumps in these areas to release water into drains and helped residents collect rubbish that was blocking the drains. The floods have since subsided and the situation is back to normal.

However, officials have warned tourists to beware of flash floods at the Mae Klang waterfall in Doi Inthanon National Park, which was recently re-opened to the public after being temporarily closed due to concerns about flooding.

Three Members of Lahu Family Swept Away By Floods in Fang District