By John Ile
At least three people have been killed after flash floods swamped Thailand’s northern city of Chiang Mai.
The city, a popular tourist destination, was inundated by torrential rain as the Ping River swelled to 5.30 metres (17.4 feet), its highest level in 50 years, on Saturday night. The river runs along the eastern edge of the city,
services to the city were also suspended.
Saritdet Charoenchai, a public health official, said that three people had been killed, including a 44-year-old man who was electrocuted and a 33-year-old woman who died in a mudslide.
More than 80 people have moved into shelters, he said, as almost a dozen medical centres were closed due to the high water.
Elephants were used to rescue and evacuate residents caught up in the floods, but at a sanctuary north of the city, two elephants were reported drowned on Sunday.
Major inundation have struck parts of northern Thailand as recent heavy downpours caused the Ping River to reach “critical” levels, according to the district office.
Credit: Aljazeera