Sunday, October 6, 2024 Chiang Mai, a renowned tourist destination in northern Thailand, experienced widespread flooding on Saturday as its main river overflowed due to heavy seasonal rainfall. Authorities swiftly responded by ordering evacuations and deploying resources to pump water out of residential areas, while also working to clear blockages in the city’s waterways to help accelerate the water’s retreat. Several emergency shelters were established throughout the city to accommodate those displaced by the floods.
The Ping River, which flows along the eastern side of Chiang Mai, saw water levels reach dangerously high levels, continuing to rise since Friday. However, forecasts suggest that the situation could stabilize within five days, with water levels expected to begin receding. In addition to human evacuations, efforts were made to relocate animals from various sanctuaries and parks in the outskirts of the city.
About 125 elephants and other wildlife were successfully moved to safer areas, while some animals instinctively sought higher ground. Numerous animal shelters in the region were also impacted by the flooding. Thailand’s state railway halted its services to Chiang Mai, with trains from Bangkok now stopping in Lampang, roughly an hour and a half away from the city.
Despite the flooding, Chiang Mai International Airport continued its operations without disruption. Flooding has affected 20 provinces across the country, mostly in northern regions. Since Augus.
