Landslide at Khun Tan Tunnel, Northern Railway Paralyzed Source - Daily News
Tuesday, September 24, 2024 04:33
Heavy rain and flash floods, passengers transferred
Heavy rain caused a landslide, blocking the Khun Tan railway tunnel. Flash floods eroded the rocks supporting the tracks between Mae Tan Noi, Khun Tan, and Tha Chomphu stations. Passengers have been transferred by road. The Northern Railway has announced a suspension of service and passengers are being transported by road instead. In Chiang Mai, Mae Wang and Chiang Dao districts, flooding has caused severe damage to agricultural areas. Meanwhile, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) reports that 6 provinces are still grappling with flooding.
On September 23, the DDPM reported that flooding is still ongoing in 6 provinces, affecting 27 districts, 130 sub-districts, and 598 villages. A total of 18,087 households have been impacted. Details are as follows:
1. Chiang Rai: Flooding in 2 districts, Mae Sai and Mueang Chiang Rai.
2. Lampang: Flooding in 7 districts, Chae Hom, Ngao, Mueang Lampang, Ko Kha, Hang Chat, Mueang Pan, and Mae Phrik.
3. Phitsanulok: Flooding in 3 districts, Phrom Phiram, Bang Rakam, and Mueang Phitsanulok.
4. Nong Khai: Flooding in 6 districts, Sangkhom, Si Chiang Mai, Tha Bo, Mueang Nong Khai, Rattanawapi, and Phon Phisai.
5. Nakhon Phanom: Flooding in 3 districts, Tha Uthen, Si Songkhram, and Mueang Nakhon Phanom.
6. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya: Flooding in 6 districts, Bang Ban, Phak Hai, Sena, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Bang Pa-in, and Bang Sai.
In Lampang province, flash floods from Doi Khun Tan National Park inundated areas in Hang Chat district, particularly in Wiang Tan sub-district. The landslide blocked the entrance to the Khun Tan railway tunnel. Railway officials inspected the site and found that mudslides from the mountain had covered a long stretch of the tracks, forcing all northbound and southbound trains between Lampang and Chiang Mai to halt operations. Another landslide at kilometer 684/3-4 between Khun Tan and Tha Chomphu stations also rendered the tracks impassable due to a 6-meter subsidence caused by soil erosion. As a result of these landslides, express train passengers heading to Chiang Mai had to stop at Lampang station and were transferred to Chiang Mai by bus.
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) announced on September 22 at 11:42 PM that a landslide and flash flood had eroded the rocks supporting the tracks between Mae Tan Noi, Khun Tan, and Tha Chomphu stations. Consequently, the SRT closed the section between Lampang and Chiang Mai stations until further notice. This closure led to the cancellation of train services between Lampang and Chiang Mai, and passengers were transferred by road from Lampang station to Lamphun and Chiang Mai stations. The SRT apologizes for any inconvenience caused.
At 11:00 AM, the SRT deployed heavy maintenance vehicles to rescue approximately 50 tourists stranded at Doi Khun Tan National Park due to road closures. The tourists were safely transported to Hang Chat station in Lampang. The SRT is committed to providing assistance and ensuring the safety of all affected individuals. For further inquiries, please contact the Customer Relations Center at 1690, available 24 hours a day.
In Chiang Mai province, heavy rainfall caused flooding in Mae Wang district, affecting houses in villages 3 and 9 of Ban Kat sub-district. The district chief ordered local authorities and military personnel to provide immediate assistance to the affected residents, including using sandbags to prevent water from entering their homes. The water levels have started to recede in some areas.
In Chiang Dao district, the Wang Hai weir collapsed due to heavy rain and a large volume of water. The wooden weir could not withstand the pressure, resulting in extensive damage to houses and agricultural crops in Ban Muang Khong village. In Thung Khao Phueng sub-district, flooding occurred in Ban Huai Pao (village 1) and Ban Thung Khao Phueng (village 3). Officials are working to build embankments to protect the community from the water. In Mueang Ngai sub-district, flooding on the road in front of the municipality has limited traffic to a single lane.
Caption:
Khun Tan Closed... Flash floods hit Doi Khun Tan National Park, inundating areas in Hang Chat district, Lampang, particularly in Wiang Tan sub-district. A landslide blocked the entrance to the Khun Tan railway tunnel (inset). The SRT deployed heavy maintenance vehicles to transport passengers to Hang Chat station.
Source: Daily News, September 25, 2024 (Afternoon Edition)
Flood Update on the Railway (as of 9:30 AM, September 26, 2024):
A report from the Chiang Mai track inspector indicates that the water level between kilometer markers 748/15 and 749/9 (a distance of 600 meters) in the section between Saraphi Station and Chiang Mai Station has risen approximately 20 centimeters above the rail level (near Montfort School). This section of the track remains closed.
Express train No. 51 (Bangkok Apiwat-Chiang Mai) will terminate its service at Lamphun Station, and passengers will be transferred to Chiang Mai by road.
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