Mae sai: Water levels in the Sai River reached a critical threshold on Thursday afternoon, prompting authorities to warn low-lying communities in Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district while deploying machinery to bolster flood defenses.
According to Thai News Agency, the water level at the Mae Sai First Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge rose to 397.6 meters, exceeding the bank capacity by 0.01 meters and triggering a maximum red alert at 1:00 PM. Residents in low-lying riverside communities were advised to move belongings to higher ground and stay alert for official updates.
Officials reported that the main body of water was gradually flowing downstream toward Tachileik, Myanmar, and water levels had begun to show a declining trend.
Inspection teams found minor water seepage near the Mae Sai Complex and Maliwan Building due to pre-existing damage to flood walls. In response, municipal staff, soldiers from the Pha Muang Task Force, and local agencies deployed heavy machinery, sandbags, and big bags to reinforce the barriers and slow the water flow.
Officials stated the situation remains manageable, with conditions expected to return to normal if no further heavy rainfall occurs.