5-10-2024 (BANGKOK) Chiang Mai, Thailand’s beloved northern tourist destination, found itself grappling with extensive flooding on Saturday as the Ping River burst its banks following intense seasonal downpours. The unexpected deluge has prompted urgent action from local authorities and raised concerns about the safety of both residents and wildlife in the region.
The Chiang Mai city government reported that the Ping River, which meanders along the city’s eastern periphery, had reached critically high levels since Friday, triggering widespread inundation. In response, officials have initiated evacuation orders for some areas and are working tirelessly to mitigate the impact of the floods.
A crisis of epic proportions has hit #ChiangMai #Thailand Catastrophic flooding has inundated #ElephantNaturePark Pls send help is you can: https://t.co/YSX4VZUAK2
They’re trying to evacuate 100’s of animals who live there … pic.twitter.com/3iHDuNricK— Ali Van Zee (@alikat747) October 4, 2024
Emergency measures include pumping water out of residential zones and clearing obstructions from waterways and drainage systems to expedite water recession. Dozens of shelters have been hastily established across the city to accommodate displaced residents whose homes have succumbed to the rising waters.
Despite the alarming situation, the provincial irrigation office offered a glimmer of hope, forecasting that water levels would likely stabilise and return to normal within approximately five days. However, Chiang Mai governor Nirat Pongsitthavorn acknowledged that this flooding event, the second in just six weeks, has surpassed all expectations.
The crisis has not only affected human inhabitants but also posed a significant threat to the region’s wildlife. Thai media outlets reported ongoing efforts to evacuate elephants and other animals from several sanctuaries and parks on the outskirts of the city. Approximately 125 elephants, along with various other species, have been successfully relocated to safety. In a remarkable turn of events, some elephants from the Elephant Nature Park reportedly escaped on their own, instinctively seeking higher ground.
The flooding has also disrupted transportation links to the northern city. Thailand’s state railway suspended service to Chiang Mai, with trains from Bangkok now terminating at Lampang, about 90 minutes to the south. However, Chiang Mai International Airport assured travellers that it was operating as usual on Saturday, providing a vital lifeline for the city.
The deluge in Chiang Mai is part of a broader pattern of flooding affecting 20 Thai provinces, predominantly in the north. Since August, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has reported at least 49 fatalities and 28 injuries due to flood-related incidents across the country.
The ripple effects of the northern floods are now threatening the central region, including the capital Bangkok. On Saturday, the government announced plans to release more water from the Chao Phraya Dam in Chai Nat province over the next week, as the reservoir risks exceeding its capacity. This controlled release may impact residents downstream who live near waterways in Thailand’s central heartland.
