Mae Sot floods: Three days of rain cause severe damage

Heavy rainfall has pounded Mae Sot for three consecutive days and nights, causing the Moei River to overflow and flood homes, submerging entire cars. Landslides have also blocked the Mae Sot-Tak highway, exacerbating the situation further.

Continuous rainfall for three days and nights has wreaked havoc in Tak province’s five border districts, leading to flash floods pouring into the Moei River. The river has risen by over 3 metres, flooding the border areas of Phop Phra and Mae Sot districts. The situation worsened this afternoon as heavy rains continued, further aggravating the flooding.

In Huay Laeng Village, located in Phop Phra’s Chong Khaeb subdistrict, the water level rose to 1 metre, submerging homes and temples along the riverbanks. Security officials from Phop Phra had to assist residents in evacuating their belongings.

The flash floods have also eroded the main road between Huay Laeng Village and Ngao Phai Village in Chong Khaeb, rendering it impassable for all vehicles. Officials closed the road to prevent accidents due to the ongoing heavy rain.

Mae Sot, downstream from Phop Phra, faced severe flooding as the Moei River overflowed. The river flooded Rim Moei Village, Tha At Village, and two other villages in the Tha Sai Luat subdistrict.

The low-lying areas of the Rim Moei Market and Rim Moei Community were nearly submerged, with some vehicles completely underwater. Residents had to seek refuge on the second floors of their homes, calling for help as the water level rose over 2 meters and continued to increase.

River overflow

In a dramatic rescue effort, soldiers from the Rajamanu Task Force, Mae Sot district officials, and rescue units swam across the floodwaters, tying large ropes across the roads and providing life jackets to stranded residents. Efforts were made to evacuate all flood victims safely.

The heavy rains also triggered a landslide on the Mae Sot-Tak highway at kilometre marker 27, blocking the outbound lane from Mae Sot to Tak City. The landslide, spanning over 50 metres, covered the road with mud, red soil, and concrete slabs, making it impassable.

Tak Highway district 2 in Mae Sot deployed two heavy machinery units to clear the debris but continuous soil flow from the mountain posed safety risks, prompting the temporary closure of the road. An emergency lane was opened to alleviate the inconvenience for travellers, with officials monitoring the situation around the clock.

Tak Governor Somchai Kitcharoenrungroj and Mae Sot District Chief Sanya Phetset visited the affected areas to assist residents. An emergency disaster command centre was established at the first permanent border checkpoint in Mae Sot. Boats were dispatched to deliver food and clean drinking water to all flood-hit areas urgently, reported KhaoSod.

This flood is reported to be the worst in Mae Sot’s border areas in a decade. All government sectors and motorboats have been mobilised to patrol and aid residents, closely monitoring the situation 24 hours a day.