Flash floods cut major roads and inundate homes across Nan’s Pua
Flash floods triggered by more than 110mm of overnight rain inundated homes in Nan’s Pua district, cut key roads and prompted an extreme alert.
- Heavy overnight rain, with over 110mm recorded in a headwater area, triggered flash floods across the Pua district.
- Homes in several areas were inundated by floodwaters, which reached almost the second-storey level in some locations.
- Key roads were rendered impassable due to at least two washed-away bridges and several landslides.
Flash floods swept through Pua district in Nan province early on Wednesday (August 19), inundating homes, damaging farmland and cutting major roads after more than 110mm of rain fell overnight.
Reports received at around 6am indicated that heavy rain had continued throughout the night in Phu Kha subdistrict, a forested headwater area. The Doi Phu Kha National Park office recorded more than 110mm of rainfall, triggering rapid runoff and flooding across several parts of Pua.
Residents in affected communities rushed to safety as water surged into residential and agricultural areas. Many had little time to move belongings, electrical appliances and pets to higher ground before floodwater entered their homes, causing widespread damage.
Ban Rong in Pua subdistrict was among the areas badly affected. In Ban Na Lae, on the route towards Doi Phu Kha National Park and Bo Kluea district, a bridge was washed away, leaving the road impassable.
Landslides were also reported at several locations in Ouan subdistrict, blocking roads as officials worked to reach affected communities and provide assistance.
The Nan Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office reported flooding following the heavy rain in Pua and indicated that further updates would be issued as the situation developed.
A bridge in the Fai Chao weir area was also reported to have been washed away, disrupting traffic on the Doi Phu Kha route. Travellers heading towards Pua were advised to avoid affected roads.
Three key highway points closed to traffic
Nan Highway District 2, under the Department of Highways, surveyed flooding on road surfaces and issued traffic warnings after finding three major points where vehicles could no longer pass.
- On Highway 101, the Chang Phueak intersection–Pua section was impassable at kilometre 429+750, before Ban Rong Bridge.
- Highway 1371 was also closed at kilometre 0+500 on the Tin Tok–Ban Mon section at Ban Fai Bridge.
- On Highway 1256, the Pua–Doi Phu Kha National Park section was impassable at kilometre 6+000 after a bridge was washed away.
Extreme Alert issued for Pua as heavy rain continues
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), working with mobile network operators AIS, True and NT, sent an extreme alert through the Cell Broadcast system to mobile phones in Pua district.
The DDPM warning read:
“Pua district continues to experience heavy rain, with the risk of flash floods, overflowing waterways and landslides. Residents should immediately move belongings to higher ground and relocate vulnerable people, including older people and bedridden patients. Anyone needing to evacuate or requiring assistance should contact their subdistrict head, village head or local administrative organisation.”
Residents can also report emergencies and request assistance through the Line account @1784DDPM, or call the DDPM emergency hotline 1784, which operates 24 hours a day.
Rain detected across nine upper northern provinces
The Northern Meteorological Centre of the Thai Meteorological Department reported that Lamphun weather radar detected areas of light to moderate rain across nine provinces in the upper North, with rain bands moving towards the southwest.
- In Chiang Rai, rain was detected in Mae Fa Luang, Mae Chan, Mae Suai, Mae Lao, Mueang Chiang Rai, Wiang Chai, Wiang Chiang Rung, Phaya Mengrai, Phan, Pa Daet, Thoeng and Wiang Pa Pao districts.
- In Chiang Mai, affected areas included Fang, Mae Ai and Omkoi districts.
- In Phayao, rain covered Mae Chai, Mueang Phayao, Phu Kamyao, Chun, Chiang Kham, Dok Khamtai, Pong and Chiang Muan districts.
- In Lampang, rain was detected in Wang Nuea, Ngao, Soem Ngam, Ko Kha, Mae Tha, Sop Prap, Mae Phrik and Thoen districts.
- In Nan, the affected areas were Chiang Klang, Tha Wang Pha, Pua, Ban Luang, Mueang Nan, Phu Phiang, Santi Suk and Wiang Sa districts.
- In Phrae, rain was reported in Song, Long, Mueang Phrae, Den Chai, Sung Men and Wang Chin districts.
- In Lamphun, rain was detected in Thung Hua Chang and Li districts.
- In Sukhothai, the affected areas were Si Satchanalai, Thung Saliam, Si Samrong and Sawankhalok districts.
- In Uttaradit, rain was reported in Laplae, Mueang Uttaradit, Tron and Thong Saen Khan districts.
Emergency contacts for flood assistance in Nan
Nan provincial authorities released emergency contact numbers for residents affected by flooding, flash floods and landslides:
- Nan Provincial Administrative Organisation Emergency Medical Centre: 054-059-855 (24 hours)
- Nan Provincial Administrative Organisation Rescue Centre: 054-773-888
- Medical emergencies: 1669
- Nan Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office: 054-716-174 or 1784
- Sawang Nakhon Nan Ruam Jai Association: 054-052-215, 098-885-3520 (24 hours)
- Phetkasem Nan Foundation, Tha Wang Pha headquarters: 054-719-555
- Phetkasem Nan Foundation, Wiang Sa: 054-052-212
- Phetkasem Nan Foundation, Bo Kluea: 054-719-777
- Nan Provincial Police: 191
- 38th Military Circle: 054-718-070 to 1
- Provincial Electricity Authority, Nan: 1129 or 054-718-120
- Nan Highway District 1: 054-741-379
- Nan Highway District 2: 054-718-040
- Nan Municipality Fire Department: 199
- Nan Irrigation Office: 054-716-185
