Border patrol police in flat-bottomed boats skillfully navigated the flood-ridden planes of Sri Songkhram district in Nakhon Phanom province, assisting residents from their inundated homes. As one of the six provinces still suffering from relentless floods, it paints a solemn picture of the ongoing crises. (Photo: Border Patrol Police sub-division 23)
Heavy seasonal rains have mercilessly affected six provinces in the North, Northeast, and Central Plain, reshaping the daily lives of over 18,000 households across 27 districts. On Monday, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported that since August 16, torrential downpours have wreaked havoc on 33 provinces, spanning four in the North, six in the Northeast, two in the East, three in the Central Plain, and eight in the South.
The surging floodwaters have inundated 160,736 households in 4,017 villages across 175 districts, claiming 46 lives and leaving 24 others injured. At present, six provinces remain under significant water levels: Chiang Rai, Lampang, and Phitsanulok in the North; Nong Khai and Nakhon Phanom in the Northeast; and Ayutthaya in the Central Plain. A staggering 598 villages in 27 districts are submerged, impacting 18,087 households.
The deployment of disaster mitigation teams equipped with heavy machinery is underway to alleviate the floodwater from affected areas, according to the department’s spokesperson.
In the northern realms of Chiang Rai, the districts of Mae Sai and Muang find themselves underwater, affecting 1,268 households. Similarly, in Lampang, the chaos unfolds in seven districts—Chae Hom, Ngao, Muang, Ko Kha, Hang Chat, Muang Pan, and Mae Phrik—disrupting the lives of 92 households. Fortunately, in some areas, the waters have begun to recede, offering a glimmer of hope.
In Phitsanulok, the situation remains grim in Phrom Phiram, Bang Rakam, and Muang districts, impacting 576 households with persistent water levels. Meanwhile, in Nong Khai, six districts—Sangkhom, Sri Chiang Mai, Tha Bo, Muang, Ratana Wapi, and Phon Phisai—are similarly afflicted, affecting 8,199 households. Some areas are witnessing a gradual decrease in water levels.
The embattled citizens of Nakhon Phanom endure flooding in Tha Uthen, Sri Songkhram, and Muang districts, with 250 households in 53 villages bearing the brunt. However, there’s a silver lining as floodwaters begin to recede, slowly restoring normalcy. Likewise, in the province of Ayutthaya, an expanse of six regions—Bang Ban, Phak Hai, Sena, Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya, Bang Pa-in, and Bang Sai—remains flooded. Here, 7,702 households across 301 villages continue to face the wrath of stable water levels.
Despite the aptly deployed disaster mitigation equipment and untiring efforts of rescue teams, the slow but steady receding waters bring with them silent stories of survival and resilience. As affected communities cling to hope, the efforts of countless hands labor to restore harmony and peace.
It’s tragic to see this level of destruction. My heart goes out to those affected.
Absolutely, but I also think we should focus on deploying more efficient disaster prevention methods in the future.
True, proactive measures could definitely mitigate such disasters.
If only the government invested more in sustainable infrastructure and climate resilience!
Sometimes nature’s wrath is just too powerful. We can only prepare so much.
The picture paints a huge contrast between rural and urban preparedness. Urban areas might fare better with better infrastructure.
I disagree. Rural areas often get the short end of the stick when it comes to disaster relief.
Has anyone considered the long-term impacts on these communities? How will they rebuild?
Aid agencies are usually pretty good about helping with that, but it’s slow work.
Are there any international organizations stepping in to help?
The UN usually sends aid for major disasters. Not sure if they’re involved yet.
I read that some local NGOs are making big moves, but more help is always needed.
That’s good to hear. Hopefully, they get the support they need.
Floods have been happening for centuries. We should look into traditional knowledge for solutions.
Great point! Sometimes ancient techniques are more effective than modern tech.
What a mess! Mother Nature was not kind this year.
Does anyone know why some areas are still under water while others are seeing the water recede?
Probably due to differences in terrain and infrastructure.
Right, some areas have better drainage systems, and elevation plays a crucial role.
Government should invest more in flood defenses. Lives are at stake!
Reading this makes me appreciate the little things we take for granted daily.
Wonder how this will affect local agriculture in the long run.
It’s going to be a rough season for sure. Crops take years to bounce back.
Not to mention the soil quality. Floods can erode nutrients from the soil.
Are there any initiatives to restore wildlife habitats affected by the floods?
So sad to see the loss of lives. Could more have been done to prevent this?
In some cases, yes. But sometimes, disaster preparation falls short of nature’s fury.
That’s a tough pill to swallow. We need to do better.
Border patrol and disaster relief teams are heroes in my book. Their courage and efforts save lives.
Absolutely, they deserve more recognition and support. They risk their lives every day.
Couldn’t agree more. They are the unsung heroes of this crisis.
Maybe this is a sign that we need to address climate change more aggressively before it’s too late.
Sadly, most people think it’s someone else’s problem until it hits home.
I hope this raises awareness about how unpredictable weather patterns can be due to climate change.
Will insurance cover these damages? Some people may not be able to rebuild without aid.
Insurance is always tricky. Sometimes it doesn’t cover natural disasters.
That’s a huge dilemma. Hopefully, there will be some relief funds.
The government usually sets up relief funds for such emergencies. Let’s hope they act fast.