**Floods Devastate Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand**
Chiang Mai, a popular northern tourist city in Thailand, is currently facing severe flooding due to heavy seasonal rainfall causing the main river to overflow its banks. The city has been inundated, prompting authorities to issue evacuation orders and implement measures to pump water out of residential areas.
Numerous shelters have been set up across Chiang Mai to provide temporary accommodation for residents whose homes have been flooded. The Ping River, running along the city’s eastern edge, has reached critically high levels, with authorities working to alleviate the situation by clearing waterways and drains.
Despite the challenging circumstances, the provincial irrigation office has projected that the water levels are expected to stabilise and gradually recede to normalcy over the next five days. Reports indicate ongoing efforts to evacuate elephants and other animals from sanctuaries and parks on the outskirts of the city, with around 125 elephants and various other creatures being relocated to safety.
Chiang Mai Governor Nirat Pongsitthavorn acknowledged that the current flooding, the second occurrence in six weeks, has surpassed initial expectations. As a precautionary measure, Thailand’s state railway has suspended services to Chiang Mai, diverting trains on the northern line to Lampang, south of the city.
Despite the disruptions caused by the flooding, Chiang Mai International Airport remains operational. To date, flooding has been reported in 20 Thai provinces, predominantly in the northern regions, resulting in 49 fatalities and 28 injuries since August. The Thai government in Bangkok is taking proactive steps to manage water levels and prevent further incidents.