Heavy rain triggers flash floods in northern Thailand

Mae Hong Son (ANTARA) - Heavy rain has caused flash floods in northern Thailand, damaging infrastructure in Mae Hong Son Province and forcing emergency response efforts along the border with Chiang Rai Province.

In Mae Hong Son Province, intense rainfall was recorded at 76.2 millimetres, causing fast-moving water to inundate the provincial capital and several surrounding villages, with at least 20 homes submerged, according to a report by the Thai news agency TNA on Monday.

The strength of the water flow also caused half of the ring road to collapse in a landslide and swept away several heavy vehicles.

The local government has temporarily closed access to damaged roads, given that meteorological officials have warned of potential continued rainfall from Tuesday (8/9) to Sunday (13/9).

At the Thai-Myanmar Border Friendship Bridge, powerful water flows carried various debris and materials, rising to nearly touch the bridge’s deck.

Local officials have urged residents in low-lying areas to move their valuables to higher ground.

Officers from the local government and military personnel have been deployed to reinforce river embankments using large sandbags, after floodwater breached a levee undergoing demolition near a business district.