Landslide Triggers Road Collapse in Yala: Woman Injured in Motorcycle Crash

Picture from responders.

A landslide caused by persistent heavy rainfall has led to the collapse of a road near Betong Junior School in Village 3, Tharn Nam Thip Subdistrict, Betong District, Yala Province. The incident, which occurred early in the morning, left a 54-year-old woman, Mrs. Yupin Chumphonwong, severely injured after her motorcycle plunged into a deep trench created by the collapse.

The road shoulder eroded to a depth of four metres, and along a 15-metre section of the route on the Ban Kapae Salang corridor, which connects to Village 5, Ban Ramong, Yarom Subdistrict, was completely destroyed. The collapse has rendered the road impassable, significantly disrupting transportation in the area.

Mrs. Yupin was riding her motorcycle during heavy rain when she did not notice the collapse and fell into the ravine. Rescuers from the Guan Yin Metta Tham Betong Foundation quickly responded to the scene, navigating treacherous and muddy conditions to extract the injured woman and transport her to a nearby hospital for urgent medical care.

Local authorities, including teams from the Yarom Highway Department, have sonce secured the area by placing warning signs and barriers to prevent further incidents. Preliminary assessments indicate that the saturated soil and ongoing rain triggered the landslide, weakening the road’s foundation and causing the sudden collapse.

Residents in the affected area are expressing concerns about the safety of other vulnerable road sections, especially given the continuing adverse weather conditions. Local officials have announced plans to conduct a full assessment of the damage and prioritise repairs to restore connectivity along the route.

-- 2024-12-12