Highway 108, the main route south to Mae Sariang and Mae Hong Son, near the Kad Farang Market was lying under half a meter of water. The road was passable for vehicles with high ground clearance, but drivers of other vehicles were forced into using the Canal Road which caused considerable traffic tailbacks.
An estimated 1,000 houses have suffered flooding of varying degrees. The 12GO ASIA news team note that the flooding is spreading south in the direction of Sanpathong and Chom Tong. Eastwards in Phayao, local authorities have warned that in areas near the Thung Reservoir floodwaters are up to one meter deep.
Runoff floodwaters from the north have already started to swamp provinces such as Ang Thong and Ayutthaya to the north of Bangkok. The Royal Irrigation Department says it is currently funnelling water near the Chao Phraya River into dykes and farm fields. Voice TV supplied our image of the flooded Chiang Mai Highway.
Floods swamp districts of Chiang Mai and Phayao
News in Asia
Days of heavy rainfall has triggered flash flooding in several districts of Thailand’s northern provinces. Video footage posted on social media this morning shows floodwaters washing away motorcycles in the Hang Dong region of Chiang Mai.