Rescue teams deliver aid to flood victims in northern Thailand

Rescue teams are delivering aid to stranded residents as floods wreak havoc in northern Thailand due to the effects of Typhoon Yagi.

Footage shows helicopters and volunteers in boats ploughing through the deluge in Chiang Rai on September 12. The region, along with neighboring Chiang Mai, have been the worst affected.

Former actor Bin Bunluerit, special affairs manager of the Ruam Katanyu Foundation, along with his younger twin brother Ekkaphan Bunluerit, led a team to provide assistance to flood victims.

The team drove off-road pickup trucks carrying plastic bags full of necessities to reach flood victims in their homes. 

They walked through the high floodwaters, delivering food to each house where residents were waiting for help.  For those waiting on the upper floors, they tied the plastic bags to ropes, allowing the residents to pull them up to their houses.

Officials said floods and landslides across the region killed at least six people and left thousands more displaced.

Acting Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is to visit the area while the health ministry has sent medical staff, volunteers, and rescue workers to relocate elderly residents to safer areas.

The Thai Meteorological Department warned of more heavy rain until next Tuesday, heightening the risk of additional flash floods.

Kritsayam Kongsatri, director of the Protected Areas Regional Office 16, said the search for missing locals was temporarily stopped amid landslide fears.

Communication was also hindered by poor mobile signal and electrical outages.

He said: 'Officers will resume the search for the missing persons once the situation improves. They will coordinate with all relevant agencies to expedite assistance to the affected families as much as possible.'

Northern Thailand has been battered by continuous heavy rain since September 8 due to Typhoon Yagi's influence.

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 150 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.

Chiang Rai has been facing flooding since the influence of Typhoon Yagi approached Thailand on September 8, after the storm downgraded, prompting continuous heavy rain.

On September 8, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather advisory regarding Typhoon Yagi, forecasting that it would downgrade to an active low-pressure cell.

Isolated heavy to very heavy rains with gusty winds were predicted for the northern and upper northeastern regions.

The strong southwest monsoon prevailing over the upper Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf of Thailand was also expected to cause isolated heavy rains in the east and along the southern west coast.

People in these areas were advised to be cautious of heavy rainfall and potential flooding, particularly near foothills, waterways, and low-lying areas.