Heavy rain triggers flash floods in Phayao’s Phu Sang district

Heavy overnight rain in Phayao triggered flash floods in Phu Sang district in northern Thailand, causing significant damage across five sub-districts and forcing residents to flee their homes. The district chief has ordered an urgent assessment of the damage.

Around midnight, relentless heavy rain battered Phayao province, continuing through the early hours. By 4am, today, August 28, accumulated forest runoff began inundating all areas within five sub-districts of Phu Sang. Most residents were unable to evacuate their belongings in time, resulting in items being swept away by the water.

One of the severely affected areas was the home of Daeng Phakaew in Thung Tio village, Moo 6, Phu Sang sub-district. The house collapsed as the saturated ground could no longer support its weight. Residents frantically tried to save what they could, reported KhaoSod.

Somchai Wongjirayakasem, the district chief of Phu Sang, confirmed that the area experienced rapid flooding due to the continuous heavy rainfall throughout the night, which ceased by morning. He noted that the flash floods had heavily impacted the homes in the five sub-districts, with some areas experiencing repeated flooding. Community leaders in each affected area have already provided preliminary reports on the situation.

In related news, the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a warning for 51 provinces in Thailand, advising residents to prepare for heavy to very heavy rainfall, flash floods, and forest runoffs. The announcement comes as a strong monsoon is expected to impact the region starting today.

Thailand is expected to experience increased rainfall, with some areas facing heavy to very heavy downpours. The upper northern, upper northeastern, eastern, and southern western regions are particularly at risk. Residents in these areas are urged to be cautious of potential dangers, including flash floods and forest runoffs, especially in foothill regions near watercourses and low-lying areas.

TMD’s announcement highlights the movement of the monsoon trough across the northern, northeastern, and upper central regions. Concurrently, a rather strong southwesterly monsoon is affecting the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand.