Flooding at popular tourist resort

 

Chiang Mai
Flooding in Thailand - thousands trapped in their homes

Ella Öfwerman

Updated 11.25 | Published 11.23

At least 49 people have died after heavy flooding in northern Thailand.

For two days, thousands of people have been trapped in their homes without food.

High water levels are still affecting 20 provinces, Thai authorities report to the Bangkok Post.

Chiang Mai, a popular tourist destination in northern Thailand, remains in serious crisis. Due to heavy rain, the province's main river has overflowed and water levels are now reaching neck height.

Although military forces and government agencies are helping with rescue efforts, many areas have still not been evacuated, Thai Prachachat reports.

A large river in Chiang Mai has overflowed. Photo: Wason Wanichakorn / AP

Thousands of people are appealing for help, food and water. The deep waters keep many, including elderly residents and bedridden patients, stuck in their homes.

On Saturday evening, the Ping River's water level was at most 5.3 metres. During Sunday morning, a high school in the city was flooded, which caused extensive damage. 60 students were trapped, but have now been rescued, the newspaper writes.

There have been large amounts of rain in northern Thailand. Photo: Wason Wanichakorn / AP

A dead elephant lies among rubble that has been moved by the bodies of water. Photo: AP

The floods have affected 42 provinces and over 34,000 families since August. Among them, 49 people have died and 28 have been injured. Over a hundred elephants have also been evacuated from an environmental protection center, AP reports.

The state railway in Thailand is suspending its northbound train service from Bangkok due to the heavy flooding, writes the Bangkok Post.
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