Flood breaches sandbag barriers as heavy rain batters northern Thailand

Floods breached sandbag barriers as heavy rain returned to northern Thailand.

Torrential rainfall struck the region again and caused the Sai River to burst its banks in Chiang Mai province on October 3.

Footage shows cascading floods leaking through the sandbag barriers placed around buildings.

The debris-filled water gushed through the first floors of homes and covered the streets.

Mae Sai Subdistrict Municipality and Wiangpangkham Subdistrict officials ordered an urgent evacuation fearing an approaching storm might cause further flooding.

Volunteers operated heavy machinery to scoop out mud from areas where the water had receded.

Heavy rains have been ravaging northern Thailand in recent weeks. The seasonal monsoon downpours have caused severe floods as rivers bordering Myanmar spilled over into communities.

While in September, Typhoon Yagi battered the country, killing 42 in northern Thailand and leaving thousands more displaced.

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.