Severe flooding has wreaked havoc across the province of Chiang Mai, with the Ping River surging to a record 5.3 meters on Saturday. The deluge, described as the worst in five decades, has caused widespread destruction, leaving key economic zones submerged and causing tragic losses at a popular elephant sanctuary.
The floodwaters have devastated the city, displacing thousands of residents and disrupting daily life, while two elephants from the famed Elephant Nature Park were found dead after being swept away in the powerful currents in Mae Taeng district.
The Ping River, which runs through Chiang Mai, rose at an unprecedented rate, reaching a peak of 5.3 meters at the Nawarat Bridge around noon on Saturday. The previous record, set over 50 years ago, has now been shattered, making this the most severe flooding event in modern memory.
By midday Saturday, many areas in Chiang Mai were inundated, with water levels reaching about one meter deep in the city’s core, especially in business and tourist districts that had only just begun to recover from earlier floods in late September.
The flooding has hit Chiang Mai’s key economic zones hard, dealing a blow to businesses that were still reeling from the aftermath of a major flood just days earlier, on September 26. The Night Bazaar and Chang Klan Road, which are popular with both locals and tourists, have been submerged under one meter of water, forcing shops to close and halting commercial activity.
Many businesses in the area have already suffered substantial losses, and this second wave of flooding has left shop owners and traders in despair. “We had just started cleaning up from the last flood when this new one came. It’s devastating,” said a local business owner who operates a souvenir shop near the Night Bazaar.
The economic toll is expected to be severe, with many small businesses expressing concerns over how long they can withstand this repeated onslaught. Insurance coverage is sparse, and while the local government has promised assistance, business owners fear it will not be enough to compensate for the ongoing damage.
Tourism, a vital lifeline for Chiang Mai’s economy, has also been affected by the floods. Officials have evacuated tourists from vulnerable areas to safer ground, but several hotels in less impacted zones have managed to remain open, providing shelter for those choosing to stay despite the flood warnings.
“We’re doing our best to take care of our guests,” said a hotel manager in central Chiang Mai. “But the situation is volatile, and many tourists have decided to cut their trips short and leave the city.”
For those who remain, hotels are grappling with logistical challenges, including flooded roads, supply shortages, and frequent power outages. While local authorities have urged people to stay indoors and avoid flood-prone areas, the impact on tourism is already being felt as cancellations pour in and tour operators struggle to keep services running.
While the city grapples with economic disruption, Mae Taeng district is reeling from a heart-wrenching tragedy at the Elephant Nature Park, a world-renowned animal sanctuary. The park, which houses 126 rescued elephants, was struck by fast-moving floodwaters that swept away animals and destroyed enclosures.
Two elephants were confirmed dead on Saturday, marking a somber moment for the conservation community. Phang Fah Sai, a female elephant, was found lifeless near the Sibsan resort in Mae Taeng, while a second pachyderm, believed to be Plang Mae Khor, an elderly elephant with a disabled leg, was also swept away by the flood. While park officials continue efforts to identify the second body, the loss has cast a pall over the sanctuary.
Founder and conservationist Saengduean Chailert, who has dedicated her life to rescuing and rehabilitating elephants, described the scene as “a day of darkness and gloom” on her Facebook page. When the flood warnings were issued on Thursday, staff members worked tirelessly to move the elephants to higher ground, but the relentless rise of the water overwhelmed their efforts.
“Our elephants are not chained but stay in fenced enclosures,” Saengduean wrote. “Floodwater has risen to over three meters and exceeds the fences of the animals’ shelters, almost reaching the roofs.”
She recounted how blind elephants like Mae Ploydaeng and Plang Mae Meeboon, among others, were swept away in full view of helpless staff members. Efforts to rescue them were hindered by the rapidly rising water, leaving the park’s team devastated by the losses.
Rescue efforts in the Elephant Nature Park are still ongoing, as the park’s staff, along with volunteers and government agencies, work tirelessly to locate missing animals and secure the remaining elephants. Mahouts, or elephant handlers, from nearby camps have joined forces with the sanctuary to calm the panicked elephants and help evacuate them to higher ground.
While the majority of the elephants have been moved to safety, the floodwaters continue to pose a significant threat. With several areas of the park completely submerged, rescue teams are racing against time to ensure the animals’ safety before further flood damage occurs.
In addition to the elephants, many cows and buffaloes at the park have gone missing, swept away by the rising waters. Saengduean expressed relief that all cats and dogs at the sanctuary are safe, though their enclosures have been destroyed. She has called for donations of old clothes and blankets to help care for the thousands of animals affected by the disaster.
Saengduean has also sought help in evacuating 23 blind and elderly horses from the park. Vehicles and transportation assistance are desperately needed to move the animals to safer ground as the park struggles to recover from the devastation.
The tragedy at the Elephant Nature Park has drawn widespread attention both locally and internationally. Rescue workers, volunteers, and government agencies have rallied to support the sanctuary, but the scale of the disaster is immense.
Elephant conservationists and animal lovers from around the world have expressed their sympathy and solidarity with the park, offering donations and resources to help rebuild. The park’s founder, Ms. Saengduean, has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support but remains focused on the immediate needs of the animals still at risk.
“It breaks my heart to know that we have lost some of our precious elephants, but we must continue to fight to save the rest,” she said in an emotional message on social media. “We need all the help we can get right now.”
As the city of Chiang Mai and its surrounding districts cope with the immediate impacts of the flooding, questions are being raised about long-term flood management in the region. The Ping River has always been prone to seasonal flooding, but the severity of this year’s inundation has sparked debates over the effectiveness of the city’s flood prevention infrastructure.
Local authorities have deployed teams to monitor water levels and repair damaged flood barriers, but the damage has already been done. Many residents have criticized the slow response to the rising water levels, arguing that more could have been done to protect vulnerable areas.
Environmental experts have pointed out that climate change may be exacerbating the frequency and intensity of floods in northern Thailand. The region has experienced an increase in extreme weather events in recent years, and the unpredictable nature of these disasters is making it more difficult to plan and implement effective flood control measures.
The government has pledged to review its flood management strategies and invest in more robust infrastructure to prevent future disasters. However, for the people of Chiang Mai, the immediate concern is recovery, as they begin the long process of rebuilding their lives and businesses after the floodwaters recede.
As Chiang Mai slowly begins to recover from this devastating flood, the focus will be on rebuilding the city and supporting the many communities and businesses that have been affected. Local authorities are coordinating relief efforts, and donations from both domestic and international sources are being directed toward flood victims.
For the Elephant Nature Park, the road to recovery will be long and difficult. The sanctuary, which has been a beacon of hope for rescued elephants and other animals, now faces the daunting task of rebuilding its facilities and ensuring the safety of its remaining residents.
But despite the tragedy, the park’s staff and supporters remain resilient. As one volunteer at the park noted, “The floods may have taken away our elephants, but they will never take away our hope. We will rebuild, and we will continue our mission to protect these incredible animals.”
The flooding of 2024 will go down as one of the worst natural disasters in Chiang Mai’s recent history. But amidst the destruction, the strength of the community and the determination to overcome the crisis shine as a beacon of hope for the future.
