Heavy rains from Typhoon Yagi have triggered floods and landslides in northern Thailand, claiming four lives and displacing thousands of residents.
The Thai government announced on Wednesday that around 9,000 families in the provinces of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai have been affected, prompting Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to deploy the army for relief efforts.
The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department confirmed the first casualties linked to Typhoon Yagi, with two people killed in a landslide in Chiang Mai and another two fatalities in Chiang Rai, near the Myanmar border.
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The health ministry has dispatched medical teams, volunteers, and rescue workers to assist vulnerable communities, especially the elderly.
The Thai Meteorological Department has issued warnings for continued heavy rainfall until Tuesday, raising concerns about potential flash floods.
"From September 13-17, residents should prepare for possible risks due to heavy to very heavy rainfall," the department stated.
Thailand is accustomed to annual monsoon rains, but climate change intensifies weather patterns, increasing the likelihood of severe flooding.
According to the National Emergency Operations Center, 29 people have died due to rain-related disasters since the start of this year's rainy season.
