SUKHOTHAI — A sudden breach in a sandbag embankment along the Yom River triggered severe flooding in Sukhothai town on Saturday, submerging government offices, markets, and residential areas under knee-deep water. The collapse occurred around 11:30 a.m. near Wat Kuha Sawan in Muang district, sending torrents of water rushing through the historic town.

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A six-meter section of the reinforced sandbag wall gave way under pressure from rising river levels, unleashing floodwaters into the Kuha Sawan community and adjacent Trairat morning market. Vendors and shoppers fled in panic as water levels surged to 40 centimeters, disrupting commerce and forcing emergency evacuations. The deluge also swamped areas near the Phra Ruang Bridge and submerged a two-kilometer stretch of Jarod Withithong Road.

The sudden collapse of a sandbag embankment along the Yom River sent floodwaters rushing into Sukhothai town on Saturday, inundating government offices and local communities with water levels as high as 40 centimetres.

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Governor Nopparit Sirikosol has mobilized disaster response teams, deploying heavy machinery and “big bag” sand barriers—each capable of holding 500kg—to reinforce vulnerable sections of the riverbank. Several government buildings reported flooding up to 30 centimeters deep, with officials offering evacuation assistance to affected residents.

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The floodwaters encroached on the grounds of Wat Kuha Sawan, raising concerns about damage to cultural heritage sites in Thailand’s ancient capital. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely as forecasters warn of continued heavy rainfall that could exacerbate flooding in the coming days.

-Thailand News (TN)