Mae sai: The flood situation in Mae Sai remains uncertain, with water levels rising continuously throughout the day from the Mae Sai headwaters in Myanmar, causing flooding in four communities and affecting hundreds of households.

According to Thai News Agency, at the First Mae Sai Friendship Bridge, officials used a long-arm backhoe to clear debris and trash blocking the waterway. The water level in the Sai River, which forms the Thai-Myanmar border, has risen to the point of nearly overflowing the bridge. However, it remains below the flood protection barriers built by the Department of Military Engineering. The rapid flow of water has continued to sweep debris and trash against the bridge. The water level in the Sai River has remained high for several hours after inundating several communities on the Mae Sai border, repeating last year’s flooding. Although the water level and situation are not as severe, vigilance is still needed.

Meanwhile, Myanmar’s Tachileik Province is experiencing severe flooding, forcing the border checkpoint to be closed. The water flowing over the bridge is the last of a large floodwater flowing from the source at Cho Tada Village in Myanmar, more than 30 kilometers from the First River Friendship Bridge. If this night passes without heavy rain upstream, the water level should be at ease.

The Mae Sai District Chief said that vulnerable populations, including the elderly and bedridden patients, have been evacuated to shelters and safe areas.