Storm Wipha weakened into a low-pressure system as it swept into northern Thailand, where persistent rainfall triggered flooding across several provinces on Wednesday.
Somkhuan Tonchan, forecasting director at the Meteorological Department, said the storm moved from Laos into Thailand and was officially downgraded to a low-pressure zone by 10 a.m. on Wednesday.
Despite its weakening, the system continued to dump heavy rain, initially hitting Nan province and expected to spread westward to Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, and Tak through Thursday.
Overnight downpours in the upper north caused widespread flooding in Chiang Rai, Nan, and Phayao. In Chiang Rai’s Thoeng district, floodwaters inundated a police station, a school, a court building, and a hospital.
Thoeng Hospital evacuated patients with minor conditions and limited new admissions to emergency cases only. Additional flooding was reported in Muang, Phaya Mengrai, and Wiang Chiang Rung districts.
In Nan, rivers and streams overflowed in Bo Kluea, Chiang Klang, Muang, and Pua districts, forcing some schools to close.
Nan governor Chainarong Wongyai stated that while rainfall was steady, it was not severe, and the resulting floods caused only minor inconvenience to local residents.
He added that Nan recorded between 150 and 200 millimetres of rainfall, though conditions were expected to ease by Thursday.
In Phayao province, flooding was reported in Chiang Kham, Dok Kham Tai, and Muang districts, as emergency crews worked to monitor rising water levels and provide assistance where needed.
