Rescue teams survey landslide damage as six die in northern Thailand
Published date: Thu, 12 Sep 2024 14:30:12 +0700
Rescue teams surveyed the damage caused by floods and landslides that killed at least six people in northern Thailand.
Video shows Chiang Mai Governor Nirat Pongsitthavorn speaking with disaster responders at the Ban Doi Laem community in Chiang Mai province on September 11.
He said: 'I have ordered all relevant units to set up mobile field kitchens and immediately deliver food to the Mae Ai and Fang districts, especially at Ban Doi Laem community where there is a food and water shortage. Soldiers have also been deployed to deliver food to stranded villagers.'
Authorities said six locals died in a landslide in Ban Doi Laem, including two children and the village head Thirayut Siriwannasatit.
Assistant village headman Jetkonrawee Jiraratpong said officials were clearing debris when another landslide struck. People ran away, but Thirayut was said to have been swept away by the mudslide. His body was found 6.2 miles away.
Northern Thailand has been battered by continuous heavy rain since September 8 due to the effects of Typhoon Yagi.
Yagi, said to be Asia's most powerful storm this year, was downgraded to a tropical storm on Sunday morning, September 8. It killed at least 15 people in the Philippines before slamming into southern China and Vietnam, where it left at least 49 dead and 22 missing.
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) had forecasted isolated heavy rains with gusty winds across the northern and northeastern regions as remnants of the cyclone strengthened the monsoon.