Storms wreak havoc in Chiang Rai and Phitsanulok

Thunderstorms and hail pounded 16 districts of Chiang Rai last night (Monday), damaging around 1000 houses.

The director of the province’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office says reports were received of blackouts in 30 villages in five districts as utility poles were knocked over and tree branches snapped power lines. All of Mae Fah Luang district was without electricity when storms raked 12 villages in four tambons. Hail fell on Mae Saruay district for half an hour, damaging houses, longan orchards and pumpkin gardens and blocking roads with fallen trees.

In Muang district, a broken power cable resulted in a short circuit and brief fire, and a house caught fire after being struck by lightning. In Mae Sai district, trees fell against a district hospital’s exterior wall. Chiang Saen district was blacked out for 30 minutes and Wieng Kaen had power outages in several areas.

Meanwhile, Phitsanulok residents endured property damage and power blackouts early yesterday as storms with high winds tracked across several districts.

Ban Khlong Ped resident Boonthing Reunnoi, 60, showed officials how the storm ripped the roof off her house and rain damaged all her furniture and electrical appliances.

Ban Dong Chan resident Somchai Chinrasi, 54, whose roof was also blown away, had gone ahead and bought replacement tiles while state aid was awaited.

SOURCE: The Nation