Thread: Flash flood and overflow warnings for 35 provinces

The National Water Resources Office has issued advice to residents in 35 provinces, excluding the central region, to brace for flash floods and overflows from Saturday until the end of the month, due to a looming monsoon trough and the escalating southwestern monsoon, which will bring more rain to most of the country.


In the northernmost province of Nan, the swollen Nan River overflowed in Phu Phiang district at 5am this morning. Highway 101, from Chiang Klang district to Thung Chang and Chalerm Phra Kiat districts, is partially flooded in several places, prompting police, local officials and volunteers to help direct traffic and assist affected travellers.


Numerous villages in Pua and Wiang Sa districts are inundated by overflows from the river.


Two schools in Mueang district are closed today due to flooding, which is making it difficult for students and teachers to reach the schools.


Nan Governor Chainarong Wongyai says riverside residents have been advised to move their valuables to higher ground and to stockpile food, drinking water and other necessities in preparation for flooding.


Traisuree Traisoranakul, spokesperson for the Interior Minister, said today that Nan, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Phayao, Phrae, Phetchabun and Udon Thani provinces remain flooded in parts, adding that water is receding, with the exception of Nan where the floodwater is still rising.
Over 500 villages and more than 12,000 households have been affected, she said.


Meanwhile Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra today expressed concern over ongoing flooding in the north, especially in Nan, Chiang Rai and Phayao provinces.


Writing on Facebook, the new PM stated that she is currently unable to perform her duties fully, due to the pending constitutional process to bring her government into power.


She has, however, already assigned Phumtham Wechayachai, the acting PM, to handle the situation and to preside over mitigation-related meetings to assist affected people.


Flash flood and overflow warnings for 35 provinces

Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra Expresses Concern Over Northern Floods

At 11:28 AM on August 22nd, 2024, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed concern over the ongoing floods in northern provinces, particularly in Nan, Chiang Rai, and Phayao.


Although she has not officially assumed her duties yet, she conveyed her worries to Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who has ordered extensive relief efforts and immediate water drainage to alleviate the situation.


Paetongtarn noted that Acting Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit is also aware of the situation and has instructed the Department of Highways and the Department of Rural Roads to deploy staff to assist and monitor the situation 24/7. The flooding in Thoeng District, Chiang Rai, has severely impacted homes and disrupted travel due to landslides and flash floods.

Suriya ordered the installation of warning signs and safety equipment in flooded areas and urged the public to exercise caution and follow the guidance of local authorities. He also emphasized the need for coordination among agencies to ensure swift response and recovery.


Suriya added that preparations are in place, including readying personnel, materials, bridges, and machinery to support any necessary infrastructure repairs. Agencies have been directed to prepare for all stages of the disaster response, from prevention to recovery.

In Nan Province, Governor Chainarong Wongyai reported that heavy rains on August 20-21 led to flooding across eight districts. Rapidly rising water levels in rivers have inundated homes and agricultural areas, causing widespread damage.
The Nan Governor mobilized district officers and local authorities to assist affected residents. A large surge of water is now moving as of press time towards Nan City, with water levels rising to critical levels.


Floodwaters, exceeding two meters in some areas, submerged over 500 households, many of which are single-story. Local residents were forced to evacuate to relatives’ homes or temporary shelters at local schools or temples.

Nan’s Meteorological Station Director, Sayan Chaiyot, warned that the region is still under the influence of a monsoon trough, with heavy rain expected to continue through September.


Local authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have prepared for potential overflows at night, which could affect parts of Nan Municipality. The city has readied water pumps and closed all floodgates along the Nan River.




Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra Expresses Concern Over Northern Floods - The Pattaya News

I am always amazed at the micro climates up North. Pours heavy for days in one area and not to far away it's light rain to no rain and no flooding. The Nan river area is a mess from news pictures I saw. The Wang river is still low for this time of year. I believe the Nan travels to the Ping directly as does the Wang.

It rained all night pretty heavy here. Sure makes every thing lush and green.

Rain, rain, rain! I’m up in Fang with some friends for a couple of days. When I drove up on 107 on Wednesday there were a couple of places on the road where slides had started dumping trees and rocks. It’s hardly stopped raining for a minute since then. Hope I can get back home without having to go some convoluted route.

Originally Posted by misskit

Rain, rain, rain! I’m up in Fang with some friends for a couple of days. When I drove up on 107 on Wednesday there were a couple of places on the road where slides had started dumping trees and rocks. It’s hardly stopped raining for a minute since then. Hope I can get back home without having to go some convoluted route.

Drive safe MK. Mountain slides are very unpredictable.

Back home again. The roads had been cleared of debris so were better on the way back today. Still, it was a tough drive in all that rain. My car looks as though I’ve been off-road.

Originally Posted by Stumpy

I believe the Nan travels to the Ping directly as does the Wang.

Not until Nakhon Sawan, where this rather impressive, private "monument" commemorates the beginning of the Chao Praya.

Nan on the right, Ping on the left.

Multiples agencies deploying personnel, equipment and assistance to reach out to victims in 35 provinces

Due to the flash floods, forest runoffs, and landslides in the northern region, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit has assigned and ordered relevant agencies to be prepared to assist the affected people in each area.


Suriya, who is also Minister of Transport, has instructed the opening of the "Ministry of Transport Disaster Command Centre", which will issue orders, receive incident reports, and coordinate support from both internal and external agencies. This will enable integrated reporting and timely assistance to the public, he said.

All agencies have been tasked with preparing survival kits and essential supplies for distribution to the affected people.


Personnel have been assigned to closely monitor and facilitate traffic on various routes, including setting up warning signs and deploying staff to oversee the situation 24/7 until it subsides.


Additionally, all agencies have been instructed to report progress and developments immediately to prepare for further assistance.


Suriya added that the Department of Highways reported on the flood and landslide situation affecting the highway network (as of Thursday). Four provinces — Nan, Phayao, Chiang Rai, and Phrae — were impacted, with 13 affected locations across eight routes.

In all affected areas, officials are managing traffic to restore normal conditions as quickly as possible and ensure maximum safety for road users.


The department has also prepared personnel and machinery for 24-hour monitoring and problem-solving. If assistance is needed, the public can contact the department hotline at 1586, available 24/7.


The Department of Rural Roads reported that personnel were immediately dispatched to monitor the situation closely. Equipment, machinery, materials, warning signs, guideposts, Bailey bridges, and vehicles have been prepared to respond to the situation.


Traffic on roads under the department's jurisdiction has returned to normal after floods and landslides affected six routes, with 13 routes still impassable. Officials are monitoring all these locations to ensure public safety.


Airports of Thailand Public Co Ltd reported that none of the airports under its management had been affected by the floods and landslides. However, contingency plans are in place.


The Marine Department has sent personnel to assist flood victims in affected areas and has prepared patrol boats, vehicles, and other items for distribution.


The latest situation has affected several areas, requiring close monitoring in the following regions: 12 provinces in the North — Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Tak, Lampang, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Sukhothai, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, and Phetchabun; 7 provinces in the Northeast — Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, and Nakhon Phanom; 4 provinces in the West — Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, and Prachuap Khiri Khan; 4 provinces in the East — Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Chanthaburi, and Trat; and 8 provinces in the South — Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Phatthalung, and Satun.

Suriya opens command centre to provide help to flood victims