Chiang Mai waterfall closed after flash floods, tourists banned

The Mae Sa Waterfall in Chiang Mai has been temporarily closed due to flash floods, with tourists being prohibited from visiting until conditions improve. Local officials are closely monitoring the situation.

Flash floods have led to the temporary closure of the Mae Sa Waterfall in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, located in Mae Rim, Chiang Mai. This decision was made to ensure the safety of visitors, according to Kritsaiyam Khongsatri, Director of the 16th Conservation Area Administration Office. The closure was announced at 2.20pm yesterday, August 27, and tourists will not be allowed to visit until the situation stabilises.

Fortunately, no tourists were harmed during the flash floods, and there has been no damage to government property. Chiang Mai officials continue to monitor the water situation closely.

At Chiang Mai Provincial Hall, Governor Nirat Phongsitthithaworn assigned Deputy Governor Thospol Phuenudom yesterday to chair the sixth meeting of the Ping River Basin Committee for 2024. The meeting aimed to review the progress of the 10 measures implemented to handle this year’s rainy season. Various officials and agencies involved in water management attended the meeting.

The meeting provided updates on the weather conditions, predicting that between August 26 and 29, a monsoon trough would move across the northern, northeastern, and upper central regions. Additionally, a low-pressure area over northern Laos is expected to move through the upper northern region and Myanmar.

The strengthening southwest monsoon covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand is likely to cause increased rainfall and heavy downpours in several areas, particularly in the northern parts of the Gulf of Thailand.

Regarding water levels in large reservoirs, it was reported that the nine large reservoirs in the northern region still have enough capacity to handle more water. However, out of the 23 medium-sized reservoirs in the Ping River Basin, seven have reached 70% capacity and are under close watch.

These include Mae Paeng Reservoir in Phrao district, Huai Mae Khon Reservoir in Chiang Dao district, Mae Kon Reservoir in Phrao district, Mae On Reservoir in Mae On district, Mae Pha Nae Reservoir in San Kamphaeng district, Huai Buak Luang Reservoir in Mueang Tak district, and Mae Sao Reservoir in Mae Tha district, Lamphun province.

Additionally, the National Water Resources Office has issued a flood watch for flash floods and runoff from August 23 to 24, particularly in Mae Ai and Chiang Dao districts in Chiang Mai, which require close monitoring, reported KhaoSod.