Central Thailand, including Chiang Mai, faces flooding as water is released from a dam due to heavy rain. Rescue teams assist stranded residents, while elephants in sanctuaries struggle with rising waters.
CHIANG MAI, Thailand (AP) — Central Thailand is on alert for flooding as the Irrigation Department begins releasing water from a dam following weeks of heavy rain. While the rain ceased in Chiang Mai, many residents, particularly the elderly, remain cut off by floodwaters that reach waist-high in some areas. Volunteer rescue teams are actively providing food and evacuation support.
Tourist hotspots like the Night Bazaar and Tha Pae Gate are submerged under nearly a meter of water, causing disruptions. As a precaution, electricity has been shut off in some neighborhoods. The Ping River began overflowing on Friday, contributing to the ongoing flooding.
Concerns are growing for animals in parks and sanctuaries, particularly elephants at the Elephant Nature Park, where many have been safely relocated, although some sought higher ground. Thai media reported two elephant fatalities, with additional animals still unaccounted for, highlighting the dire consequences of the flooding.
Source : Central Thailand braces for inundation as rain stops in flooded Chiang Mai
