Rains hammer Chiang Mai districts

Three national parks close sites for safety

- POST REPORTERS

Torrential rains have battered several districts in Chiang Mai, causing widespread flash floods, especially in San Pa Tong district, according to local authorities.

As of yesterday morning, six sub-districts and 14 villages in San Pa Tong district had been affected, inundating 729 households. Authorities have issued warnings for residents to move belongings to higher ground in preparation for rising water from Huai Mae Khan stream flowing downstream from nearby Samoeng district.

Floodwaters remain in some areas, notably Ban Klang and Thung Satok sub-districts, where roads and homes are still submerged.

Officials anticipated the flood situation could worsen before midday yesterday due to a large volume of runoff heading toward low-lying zones.

In response to the extreme weather, three national parks have temporarily closed key tourist attractions for safety reasons.