Nan Province floods trigger urgent evacuations in northern Thailand

Severe flash flooding and heavy rainfall have struck Nan Province in northern Thailand, particularly impacting Pua, Mae Charim, and Santisuk districts. In Pua district alone, approximately 16,000 people across 8,000 households have been affected, with five main roads cut off by rising waters.

Government agencies are conducting urgent rescue operations to evacuate vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children, and bedridden patients. The Ministry of Interior has mobilized jet skis, flat-bottom boats, and heavy machinery to reach isolated areas. Deputy Prime Minister Yotsachanan Wongswasdi has traveled to the region to oversee relief efforts, while Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is monitoring the situation remotely.

The Ministry of Public Health has raised its readiness level to maximum as floodwaters threaten to move into Nan city and Wiang Sa district. In Pua, flooding has disrupted main transport routes, affecting medical emergency services. Local hospitals have activated contingency plans, including setting up temporary shelters for staff and patients, and deploying sandbags to protect medical facilities from incoming water volumes.