Northern provinces hit by heavy rains
By Digital Content



CHIANG MAI, Aug 29 -- Heavy downpours continue in the northern region while concerned authorities have been instructed to closely monitor for possible water runoff in the northern city of Chiang Mai which could affect tourists who are visiting national parks, officials said Friday.

The authorities said heavy rains are continuing in Nan and the situation is worrisome after canals were swollen following forest runoff late Thursday.

By Friday afternoon, more than 200 houses in three districts of Nan including Thung Chang, Pua and Chaloem Phra Kiat were flooded, officials said.

Concerned officials have been ordered to closely monitor the situation as flash floods could occur anytime in low-lying areas.

Meanwhile, Chiang Mai deputy governor Chana Paengpibul has ordered every district in the province to be on alert as heavy downpours continue to devastate the province.

The Meteorological Department has issued a warning that heavy rain would cover between 70-80 per cent of the total area in the province.

Water levels in several canals in six districts of Chiang Mai have risen sharply after heavy rain lashed the province Thursday.

In Doi Tao district alone, a canal overflowed inundating two villages.

Although the situation has returned to almost normal, officials are on alert while they have also been instructed to temporary close national parks and access to waterfalls if the heavy rains resume, officials said. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-08-29

Monsoon? In Thailand? We are very surprised about this phenomenon- it never happened before...

We had about three hours of torrential rains last night here in Mae Taeng. Our four 3 inch diameter rain downspouts were roaring with the flow off the roof.

We had about three hours of torrential rains last night here in Mae Taeng. Our four 3 inch diameter rain downspouts were roaring with the flow off the roof.

Yet only a few kilometers away, in Amphur Phrao, very little rain. Just shows how localised these downpours are. Our local rivers, Mae Khod and Mae Bon, way below normal levels - still time to catch up I think.

What gets me about this report, like many others, is it starts off by worrying about the effect on 'tourists'. It's like an obsession with them. What about the poor Thai's that are affected?

What gets me about this report, like many others, is it starts off by worrying about the effect on 'tourists'. It's like an obsession with them. What about the poor Thai's that are affected?

Couldn't agree with you more. There are people in villages up to their knees in flood water and the concentration is the inconvenience to tourists snug and dry in their GH or Hotel.

Any tourist who didn't do their home work, that this is actually the wet season in Thailand,doesn't deserve any sympathy.

Hooray.. lets hope for lots more, then my local village rice farmers might be able to feed themselves without borrowing money over the next year or so...