Buddha decapitated by storm sparking fears from superstitious locals

A giant Buddha statue decapitated by a storm has sparked apocalypse fears from religious locals in Thailand.

The head of the 200ft reclining Buddha statue broke off amid heavy rain at the Wat Phra That Doi Saket temple in northern Chiang Mai province on September 13.

Authorities cordoned off the area and initially tried to hide the broken statue by covering it with canvas, fearing villagers would see it as an ill portent.

Monks said they held a ceremony to enshrine a Buddha heart into the statue on September 12. Its head fell early morning the very next day.

Temple follower Kat Supawich said: 'This was very spooky. I'm afraid it's a bad omen.'

The temple Abbot said prayers would be held to remove any 'negative spirits' from the building.

Monsoon storms intensified by remnants of typhoon Yagi are believed to have caused the collapse. Temple officials said a support for the head had been planned to be built before the incident occurred.

Repair work and construction were underway, and were expected to be completed in three months.

The statue was built in 2020 and completed this year.

Thailand and neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia are in their annual monsoon rainy season which sees soaring temperatures followed by powerful rain storms in the afternoon leading to widespread flash floods.