CHIANG MAI, Thailand. Several provinces in central Thailand are bracing for significant flooding as the Irrigation Department announced plans to release water from a major dam following weeks of relentless heavy rain. The northern city of Chiang Mai, which has been severely impacted, is seeing a pause in rainfall, but the situation remains critical.
Floodwaters in Chiang Mai have left many residents, particularly the elderly, stranded in areas where water levels reached waist-deep or higher. Volunteer rescue teams have been working tirelessly, often using boats, to deliver food supplies and evacuate those in need. Power outages in several neighborhoods have further complicated the situation, with electricity being cut off for safety reasons.
Tourist hotspots like the city’s famous Night Bazaar and Tha Pae Gate have been submerged under nearly a meter (3.3 feet) of water, causing disruptions to local businesses and tourism.
Central Thailand Prepares for Flooding
As water levels in Chiang Mai slowly stabilize, central provinces, including the capital Bangkok, are being warned of potential flooding. The Irrigation Department plans to release water from the Chao Phraya Dam to prevent it from exceeding capacity, which could lead to widespread inundation in low-lying areas.
Ping River Overflows
Chiang Mai’s latest round of flooding began when the Ping River, which flows along the city’s eastern side, overflowed its banks on Friday. Flooding during Thailand’s monsoon season is a recurring challenge, with several regions facing the same predicament each year.
Concern for Wildlife
There are growing concerns for animals kept in parks and sanctuaries around Chiang Mai. Most of the 125 elephants housed at the city’s renowned Elephant Nature Park have been safely moved to higher ground, but some escaped the facility on their own, seeking safety. Disturbing images from Thai media have shown elephants struggling to keep their heads above the floodwaters. At least two elephants have been confirmed dead, and several others remain unaccounted for.
As central Thailand prepares for potential flooding in the coming days, the situation remains fluid, with emergency teams on standby to provide support in affected areas.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
