Floods hit northern Thailand, Laos ramps up storm relief efforts
A sudden breach of a flood embankment along the Yom River inundated Sukhothai town in northern Thailand on July 26, submerging government offices and homes under water levels of up to 400mm.
Hanoi (VNA) - A sudden breach of a flood embankment along the Yom River inundated Sukhothai town in northern Thailand on July 26, submerging government offices and homes under water levels of up to 400mm.
The breach occurred around 11:30am along a six-metre stretch of a sandbag-reinforced barrier near Kuha Sawan Pagoda in Thani subdistrict, Muang district.
Local officials said the structure collapsed due to rising river levels, allowing water to sweep into temple grounds and the surrounding community.
Floodwaters quickly engulfed the nearby Trairat Morning Market, forcing vendors and shoppers to flee. Water levels reached 400mm, severely disrupting local commerce.
The area around Phra Ruang Bridge and a two-kilometre section of Jarod Withithong Road along the Yom River’s west bank were also submerged. Some government buildings reported flood depths of 300mm.
Sukhothai Governor Noppit Sirikosol ordered emergency response teams and heavy machinery to assist residents and reinforce flood defences. Evacuation plans are being prepared as authorities rush to seal the breach with 500-kg sandbags to prevent further flooding.
Meanwhile in Laos, the government is stepping up disaster relief and preparedness following recent storms.
A consultation meeting on the 2025 disaster relief plan was held on July 25 in Vientiane, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Chansamone Chanyalath.
According to official reports, Typhoon Wipha triggered flooding and landslides in 262 villages across 34 districts, affecting nearly 15,000 households and over 14,000 people. The storm claimed four lives, injured six, and left four missing. It damaged 2,249 homes, 1,753 hectares of crops, 11 power grids, five schools, 47 roads, and five bridges.
The Lao government has directed local authorities to stay alert and𒁃 enhance disaster preparedness. Provincial and district command centres have been established to coordinate relief. Emergency supplies are being distributed, while rescue teams continue to assist stranded residents and recover victims. Repairs to roads and restoration of traffic flow are also underway./.
Thousands of people were forced to evacuate across the northern Philippines on July 25 as Typhoon Co-May (named by Vietnam) made landfall over western Luzon island, triggering landslides and flash floods.
Typhoon Wipha (designated as Typhoon No. 3 in Vietnam) has caused widespread destruction across several northern and north-central provinces, damaging hundreds of homes, submerging over 119,000ha of rice paddies and triggering multiple dike incidents.
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