UPDATE Nan floods kill two as red alert issued in Tha Wang Pha Picture courtesy of Matichon Two people have died in flooding in Nan province, northern Thailand, as floodwater moves downstream from Pua district towards Tha Wang Pha and riverside communities. As of 4.30pm on 19 August, seven subdistricts and 60 villages in Pua had been affected, with 8,000 households and more than 16,000 people reported to be suffering from the floods. Deaths reported in Tha Wang Pha and Pua The first victim was a man believed to be aged between 45 and 50. Phetkasem Foundation rescue workers found his body while evacuating residents in Moo 1, Ban Fai Mun, Pa Kha subdistrict, Tha Wang Pha district. The second victim was a bed-bound patient who was unable to help himself. He lived with his mother in Moo 8, Sila Phet subdistrict, Pua district, and was swept outside the house by a flash flood. Flooding has also been reported in Santi Suk and Mae Charim districts. Although water levels in Pua have begun to fall, the volume of water is now moving towards Tha Wang Pha and communities beside the Nan River and its tributaries. A critical red warning has been issued for Ban Chiang Yuen in Yom subdistrict and Ban Na Tao in Rim subdistrict, both in Tha Wang Pha, where water levels were continuing to rise. Vehicles can no longer pass along the lower Woranakhon Road section by Tha Wang Pha market. Four vulnerable residents trapped at homes in Ban Fai Mun have been evacuated from the danger area. Nan Hospital flood defences being strengthened Nan Municipality has been placing large sand-filled bags behind the Ban Nam Lom community to seal gaps and stop water reaching Nan Hospital. Officials are also warning residents to prepare for possible further flooding. Suraphon Thiansut, mayor of Nan Municipality, said the monsoon trough was expected to affect the area from 18 to 21 August. Accumulated rainfall had exceeded 200mm in almost all areas and 300mm in Pua district. He said it was not yet possible to predict the eventual water level, although conditions could potentially be comparable with flooding in 2006. The municipality is pumping water at full capacity to buy people time to move belongings, while using big bags and sandbags to close weak points. Officials are monitoring water levels at N64 in Ban Pha Khwang and at the N1 measuring point. A first warning has been issued to at-risk communities in Nan Municipality, particularly those flooded in 2006 and 2024. Road closures affect travel in Nan Residents have been told to raise belongings, prepare food, drinking water and medicines, move vehicles, and relocate vulnerable people to safe areas. Temporary shelters have been opened for people needing assistance. The municipality was preparing to close Nakhon Nan Phatthana Bridge, also known as the Nan Hospital bridge, from 4pm because water levels were continuing to rise. For foreign residents and visitors in Nan, the immediate concern is travel disruption and access to local services. Those in low-lying riverside areas should follow official evacuation advice, keep medicines and travel documents dry and ready, and avoid routes subject to closure. Nan Highway District 2 has also closed Route 1256, the Pua-Doi Phu Kha National Park-Bo Kluea road, to all traffic. Officials reported 15 high-voltage power poles had fallen and about 23 more were leaning, cutting the route completely. Tourists and residents have been told to avoid it. 19 August 2026
