At least three people have died as floods hit Chiang Mai, Thailand Flood News

The city’s Ping River is bursting its banks after reaching its highest level in 50 years.

At least three people have died after floods hit the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai.

The city, a popular tourist destination, was hit by heavy rain as the Ping River swelled to 5.30 meters (17.4 feet), its highest level in 50 years, on Saturday night. The river runs along the eastern edge of the city;

Residents were forced to wade into thigh-deep brown water, while some tourists were trucked out of their hotels. Some shops were forced to close, and the train station was closed after the floodwaters. Trains to the city were also stopped.

Saritdet Charoenchai, a public health officer, said three people died, including a 44-year-old man who was electrocuted and a 33-year-old woman who died in a mudslide.

More than 80 people have entered shelters, he said, as nearly a dozen medical facilities have been closed due to high water.

Elephants were used to rescue and evacuate residents who were affected by the floods, but in a sacred area in the north of the city, it was reported that two elephants drowned on Sunday.

Severe flooding has hit parts of northern Thailand as recent heavy rains have caused the Ping River to reach “critical” levels, according to the district office.

Thailand’s northern provinces have been hit by heavy flooding since Typhoon Yagi hit the region in early September, with one region reporting its worst flooding in 80 years.

26 of Thailand’s 76 provinces are currently flooded, the Ministry of Defense and Disaster Mitigation said on Sunday.

There were fears of further flooding, including in the capital Bangkok after the Irrigation Department said it would release water from a large dam after weeks of persistent heavy rain.