Thailand's Ping River water levels reach record high in 50 years

Tuesday, October 8, 2024 

The Ping River, Thailand's largest, reached it's highest water levels in 50 years peaking at 5.3 meters on Saturday. The water levels reportedly decreased to 3.85 meters by 10am Monday and were continuing to drop. Authorities took measurements at Nawarat Bridge.

Health authorities said 80 people evacuated and at least three people died as of Monday.

Some shops and the train services in the adjacent Chiang Mai city closed. People needed to walk in around one meter deep water or evacuate in trucks. Authorities closed several major roads and contacted residents downstream advising to either evacuate or prepare to imminent floodings.

The increased rainfall reportedly started after Typhoon Yagi in early September.

Chiang Mai is a city in northern Thailand and a popular tourist destination.

• "At least three killed as floods swamp Thailand’s Chiang Mai" — Aljazeera, October 7, 2024
• "Chiang Mai’s Ping River recedes, but downstream areas still at risk" — Nation Thailand, October 7, 2024