Hail storms, dropping hailstones as large as golf balls, and usually high winds and rain ripped through sections of Chiang Mai province on Saturday afternoon. The force of the storm knocked over power poles and created local flooding. Parts of the province briefly looked like a snow field but were actually covered with hail stones which melted quickly.
Initial reports from the provincial office of public disaster prevention and mitigation indicate that heavy rain and hail storms caused damage to about 600 houses in Chiang Mai on Saturday afternoon, with most of the affected houses located in the Mueang district. The storms started at approximately 3 pm and affected 17 sub-districts in the main city area, Mae Rim, San Kamphaeng and San Sai.
In Chiang Mai city’s Suthep sub-district, 222 houses in Ban Doi Suthep, 57 houses in Ban Phuping, and 300 houses in Ban Doi Pui were affected by the storms, which caused roof damage and flooding. The strong wind also uprooted several utility poles and trees, leading to widespread power outages in the Mae Hia sub-district.
San Kamphaeng district also experienced damage, with two uprooted trees falling on three cars and a garage. Meanwhile, fallen trees temporarily blocked traffic on a road linking Huai Sai, Khilek, Saluang, Mae Raem, Rim Nuea, Rim Tai, and San Pong in Mae Rim district. The road was eventually reopened a few hours later after local officials removed the tree trunks from the roadway.
SOURCE: Thai PBS World | Thai Newsroom
