Chiang Mai and Lamphun Flood Update: Resilience Amid Rising Waters

Picture this: The sun rises over Chiang Mai, a city well-loved for its vibrant markets and charming atmosphere. Yet, recently, it wore a different face as the Ping River, famed for its serene flow, turned tempestuous and swelled to unprecedented heights, leaving parts of the city submerged in its depths. This past week, as the river demonstrated its mighty power, it set records by reaching a daunting 5.3 meters at the Naowarat monitoring station, casting a shadow of concern over residents and visitors alike.

Fast forward to Tuesday, and the city is slowly catching its breath, embarking on a large-scale cleanup operation. This recovery endeavor stretches across 10 strategic locations adjoining the untamed Ping River. Notable spots like the bustling Waroros central market and the lively Night Bazaar – usually brimming with the chatter of locals and tourists – now temporarily swap their usual hustle and bustle for the hum of mops and brooms.

Monday marked the dawn of this ambitious cleanup, needed due to what many are calling the most severe flooding event in collective memory. Yet, like a silver lining emerging after a storm, there’s hope. The potent river is graciously retreating, allowing the Chiang Mai Municipality to dial back the alert status from a crisis-laden red to a hopeful orange. By Tuesday morning, as early risers sipped on their morning coffee, they learned from the ever-watchful Naowarat monitoring station that the once-dreaded flood waters had ebbed to 3.45 meters.

Yet, in a tale where drama refuses to merely ebb away silently, echoes of precaution ring through neighbouring Lamphun province. Just as Chiang Mai finds its footing, Lamphun stands on the precipice of its own watery trial, as the Kuang River continues to rise ominously. On Tuesday morning, official voices urged riverside residents to move their cherished belongings to safer grounds, a preemptive step to escape the Kuang’s impending overflow.

“Urgent. The water level of the Kuang River at the Tha Nang Bridge today has gently tipped toward a critical juncture. Residents should consider relocating essentials to higher altitudes for safety,” echoed the call from Lamphun’s vigilant Public Relations Office, their appeal underscored by the meteorological realities of the region.

The Kuang’s waters, teasingly brushing the undersides of the Tha Na Bridge in Muang district, stood at an aggravating 4.91 centimeters as of Tuesday morning, stopping just shy of the ominous critical mark. On its journey towards the confluence with the Ping in Lamphun’s idyllic Pa Sang district, the Kuang carries the whispers of its swelling, ready to merge its story with the historical waters of the Ping.

For the 29,000 households in seven expansive districts of Chiang Mai impacted by last week’s tumultuous floods – and 1,720 households in the Lamphun territory feeling the rippling effects – the past days have been etched into memory. The figures speak a stark story as reported by the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department. Yet, amid the cleaning efforts and the preparations, both cities stand resilient, engaged in a delicate dance with nature, showcasing a spirit that rises, much like the river’s waters, only to grow stronger once they recede.