PHAYAO: Persistent overnight rain caused the Mae Tam River to overflow in Muang district on Tuesday morning, leaving many residents, young and old, stranded on upper floors and roofs.
According to local media, the stream burst its banks in Ban Huai Khian village in tambon Mae Ka of Muang district. Flood levels ranged from one to two metres, swamping many buildings and vehicles.
The University of Phayao was among the inundated properties. Many students fled their flooded dormitories and took refuge on the rooftops.
Officials said 106 millimetres of rain fell in this northern province over the previous 24 hours, the heaviest rainfall in the North at the time.
More than 100 vehicles were reported damaged by the flood.
Muang district chief Nikorn Yakajai said the flood began pouring through the town about 3am on Tuesday. Many students fled for the lives, with no chance to grab any of their belongings. The University of Phayao management reopened old buildings so students could take shelter.
(Video: Sasiwimol Numsong)
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said at Government House late Tuesday morning that the flooding in central Phayao had fallen and was now shin deep. All affected students at the University of Phayao had been evacuated, she said.
Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Akara Prompow, a Phayao native, said student dormitories received the brunt of the damage from the flash flood. Irrigation officials had opened the sluice gates at Kwan Phayao Lake to speed up the drain-off in Muang district.
Vehicles left piled up along the road in flooded Muang district of Phayao on Tuesday morning. (Photo: Freshy UP'65)