NAN, Thailand – The first 26 vulnerable people in Muang district of Nan province have been evacuated to a temporary shelter as authorities map out contingency plans to cope with flooding from the swollen Nan River, which is threatening to inundate areas in Muang and Wiang Sa districts. A total of 12 sub-districts in Pua district, located upstream of Muang and Wiang Sa, were hit by flash floods, overflows, and mudslides on Wednesday and have been declared emergency disaster zones by the Nan provincial administration.

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Deputy Prime Minister and Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Minister Yodchanan Wongsawat, Agriculture Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Deputy Interior Minister Jeseth Thaiseth, and Teerapat Kachamat, director general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, were in Nan last night to monitor and assess the situation. After an emergency meeting, Yodchanan told the media that the level in the Nan River was expected to peak between midnight and 2 a.m. this morning and advised people living in areas at risk in Muang district to evacuate to pre-arranged temporary shelters.

People in Wiang Sa district are being warned of possible overflows from the Nan River this morning at about 9 a.m. and have been told to be prepared for evacuation, while residents across the province have also been advised to store up food, drinking water, medicines, and other necessary items as a precaution. Authorities have urged people to stay informed of the flood situation and follow the advice of officials, and in case of emergency, they can contact the 1784 hotline around the clock.

Nan remains in crisis as severe flooding inundates communities, submerges vehicles and leaves residents struggling amid fast-rising floodwaters.#Nan #Flooding #ThailandNews pic.twitter.com/ne7ErjpkhF

— Khaosod English (@KhaosodEnglish) August 19, 2026

Public Health Permanent Secretary Somlerk Jeungsmarn said Wednesday that the hospital in Pua district had to readmit some previously discharged patients because they could not return to their homes due to flooding that has cut the road from Pua further north to Chiang Klang, Wiang Sa, and Thung Chang districts, with some hospital staff also stranded at the hospital. A sand-bagged floodwall has been constructed to protect Pua Hospital from flooding today, when the level of the Nan River is expected to peak, and several temporary evacuation shelters have been set up in the district.

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Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department issued a warning late yesterday afternoon of heavy to very heavy rainfall into today in the northern and northeastern regions, which may result in watercourse overflows, particularly at mountain bases and in low-lying areas. The situation remains critical as authorities continue to monitor water levels and coordinate emergency response efforts to protect residents and infrastructure in the affected areas.

-Thailand News (TN)