At least two dead, hundreds stranded in Thailand as floods hit north


  • World
  • Wednesday, 11 Sep 2024

People work to remove debris from under a bridge amidst flooding in Chiang Rai province, Thailand, September 11, 2024, in this still image taken from a video. Tubjaotak Task Force, Pha Muang Force/Handout via REUTERS

BANGKOK (Reuters) - At least two people were killed and hundreds stranded in Thailand after heavy rains swept through two northern provinces, swelling rivers, inundating settlements and triggering mudslides, authorities said on Wednesday.

The adverse weather, which comes in the wake of Typhoon Yagi - the most powerful storm in Asia this year, has impacted about 9,000 households in Thailand, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said.

"Water currents are still strong," she told reporters. "All agencies are prepared and when the current eases, they will go in immediately."

The impacts of the storm have killed at least 143 people in Vietnam, where it made landfall on Saturday before moving westwards, with floods forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents living near the swelling Red River in the capital Hanoi.

Thailand's Chiang Mai province experienced flash floods and mudslides, with two deaths recorded, according to its governor.

In the Mai Sai district of neighbouring Chiang Rai province, which borders Myanmar, rubber boats were unable to reach some flooded areas where hundreds were stuck and awaiting help, said district chief Narongpol Kid-an.

"Helicopters will be used to evacuate stranded residents and deliver food and water," he told Reuters.

A resident in the main town in Mae Sai, which has a population of over 28,000, said their group of three people was trapped on the second floor of a building after rising water submerged the lower level.

"We have not eaten anything since yesterday morning," the resident said, asking not to be named.

"It is still raining heavily in Mae Sai. We hope a rescue team or somebody will come to help us."

(Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat, Zaw Naing Oo and Chayut Setboonsarng, Writing by Devjyot Ghoshal; Editing by Martin Petty)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In World

Syria's new rulers name foreign minister amid push for international relations
Eight convicted in France over murder of teacher who showed Prophet caricature
Death toll in German Christmas market car-ramming rises to five, more than 200 injured
Ukraine drone attack on Russian city of Kazan forces airport closure, media and aviation watchdog say
Pakistan military court jails 25 over 2023 attacks
Rival protests over South Korea's impeached President Yoon held in Seoul
Six killed in Ukrainian missile attack on Russia's Kursk region, acting governor says
Driver kills at least two after ramming into crowd at German Christmas market
Australian authorities urge hundreds to flee out-of-control bushfires
Cuba stages protest at US embassy over sanctions

Others Also Read