Chiang mai: Chiang Mai is continuing to drain the Ping River in preparation for Tropical Storm Bualoi, which is set to make landfall in Vietnam tomorrow (September 29). Meanwhile, residents in at-risk areas along the Ping River are rushing to place sandbags to block water from flooding into their homes.

According to Thai News Agency, last night, after hearing about Tropical Storm Bualoi, residents living in at-risk areas along the Ping River in Chiang Mai Province drove their vehicles to the Railway Park in downtown Chiang Mai. The sandbags, which were being distributed free by the Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organization, were provided by the same organization. Volunteer soldiers from the Kawila Camp assisted in filling the sandbags. Despite the large number of residents, some people hurriedly scooped the sand themselves, loaded the bags, and transported them in their vehicles to use as barriers to prevent floodwaters from overflowing into their homes.

As of midnight, the water level at P1 at the Nawarat Bridge is 3.92 meters, but the situation remains under close monitoring. The province has confirmed that the riverbank can be reclaimed to 4.20 meters, with only low-lying areas potentially affected.

This morning, officials continued to expedite drainage of water from the Ping River, from Chiang Mai city to the Mae Soi floodgate, the final gate on the Ping River. At the Tha Wang Tan floodgate, all six gates were raised above the water level. Repairs were made to the small earthen embankment on the left bank, located downstream of the gate, to prevent water from overflowing into Tha Wang Tan, Pa Daed, Ring Road 2 and 3, and Saraphi District. Inspections of the embankment revealed that it remained stable and strong.

In the lower part of Chiang Mai, irrigation officials raised the water gates at Doi Noi Weir, Doi Lor District, Chiang Mai Province, all six gates above the water level, and at Mae Soi Water Gate, Chom Thong District, all ten gates were raised 2 meters high to drain Ping River into Doi Tao Lake.

This is all part of preparation for Tropical Storm Bualoi, which will make landfall in Vietnam tomorrow. While its center is unlikely to directly hit Thailand, the storm’s periphery will experience heavy to very heavy rainfall, posing a risk of flash floods, mudslides, and landslides between September 29 and October 1.