Flooding remains in many northern Thai areas

CHIANG RAI, THAILAND, September 2 (TNA) - Flooding has continued affecting people in many areas in the Thai North, including Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai and Lampang. In Chiang Rai, Wichai Jirachatmongkol, Chief of Phaya Mengrai District, told reporters on Tuesday that damage to local households, school, roads, as well as tap water and electricity systems in Ban Mai Suksan of Tadkhwan Sub-district, caused by flash floods on August 29, was the heaviest in 50 years and assistance and rehabilitation will reach affected people as soon as possible. Chiang Rai's disaster prevention and mitigation office reported that an initial survey found 2,500 households in 10 districts have been damaged by floods since August 29 and two people have been killed. In Chiang Mai, heavy downpours overnight flooded many areas in the Nakhon Chiang Mai Municipality, prompting local workers to pump floodwater out of the provincial heart, while local authorities warned of more flooding as widespread downpours were predicted to continue until September 7, with flood-prone areas including Mae On, Doi Saket, Samoeng, Fang, Mae Ai, Chai Prakan, Chiang Dao, Omkoi and Mae Chaem Districts. In Lampang, Ban Mae Kong Nua and Ban Mae Tam Tai in Ban Pao Sub-district of Muang District were 30-100 centimeters under water due to heavy downpours overnight, wiping out locals' belongings and poultry. (TNA)