Flood-weary Nan braces for more rain on Sunday

The flood-weary northern Thai province of Nan faces another round of rain on Sunday as recovery efforts continue from earlier devastating deluges. Authorities are closely monitoring the Nan River basin, where water levels have stabilized in several areas, but four districts in the upper basin – Pua, Song Khwae, Chiang Klang and Thung Chang – will need heightened vigilance as they could receive 50 to 70 millimetres of rainfall over 24 hours.

While this forecasted rain is not anticipated to be as intense as the recent downpours, which saw up to 380mm fall on Wednesday, authorities caution that saturated soils will limit the ground's ability to absorb additional water, potentially causing rapid water flow into waterways. Deputy government spokesperson Lalida Persvivatana emphasized the government's heightened preparedness, particularly in foothill areas and low-lying zones, to swiftly disseminate warnings and assistance if conditions change.

Despite improvements in many regions, the government remains alert, especially with forecasted rain in upstream areas on Sunday. Residents are urged to continue their daily routines while staying updated on official advisories. Authorities are also monitoring potential water flow impacts on Tha Wang Pha, Muang Nan, Phu Phiang and Wiang Sa districts.

Nan province has borne the brunt of the flooding, with flash floods in Pua district followed by severe downstream inundations in Muang Nan. As of Saturday, over 4,000 residents in 14 villages of Pua remained cut off due to flash floods and landslides. Relief efforts are underway, including the use of drones for food and water delivery, construction of a Bailey bridge to restore road access, and deployment of specialized teams from the Thai Red Cross, Prasat Boonsathan Foundation, Kubota’s disaster-response drones, and Singha volunteers to aid in relief operations and bridge construction.