Relief Efforts Deployed Amidst Flooding Crisis in Nan, Sparking Unrest
In late July 2025, Nan province in Thailand was hit by its heaviest rainfall in 40 years, caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Wipha. This resulted in severe flash flooding and run-off, particularly affecting districts such as Tha Wang Pha, Pua, and Muang[1][2][5].
The floodwaters rose to the second floor of neighboring houses, and the Nan River swelled to 9.49 metres, its highest recorded level, and burst its banks, flooding towns and damaging iconic landmarks like Wat Phumin[1]. The floodwaters also inundated the Nan Hospital, with water reaching above 1.83m in some areas, and the hospital's emergency department was relocated to Nan Nakhon Airport[1].
The flood-hit communities and Nan Hospital faced significant challenges. Rescue teams had to evacuate bedridden patients, including a bed-ridden woman from Ban Na Tao village, amid strong currents[1]. Floodwaters also threatened infrastructure and homes, including the provincial capital, which is the economic heart of Nan[1].
In response, temporary shelters were established, and emergency supplies of food, medicine, and clean water were distributed. The Thai government held emergency meetings and deployed emergency response teams at central and provincial levels, operating around the clock to assist affected residents[5]. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) used cell broadcast alerts to warn villagers about the risks of flooding, landslides, and urged evacuations in vulnerable areas such as Bo Kluea district[1][3][5].
Volunteers played a crucial role in the relief efforts, using boats to deliver supplies to stranded residents during the flood[2]. From Bangkok, the Poh Teck Tung Foundation drove mobile kitchen trucks to Nan, setting up base at the provincial sports stadium, and more than 80 volunteers cooked and distributed 3,000 meals every morning[2].
Recovery efforts include ongoing evacuation of vulnerable individuals, draining floodwaters from high-risk zones, and dissemination of early warning alerts through mobile networks. The government activated the National Disaster Response Command to coordinate relief across 22 provinces, reflecting the scale of the disaster which is considered the worst flood event in the northern region in over four decades[2][5].
However, challenges remain. Electricity and clean water are still unavailable in many areas, and schools have either closed or been converted into shelters. Sanitation remains a critical concern at the hospital, and restoring water for handwashing and cleaning is a top priority[1].
One individual who was affected by the flood was Diane Francheska Ruiz, a Filipina teacher who resides in Thailand. Ms. Ruiz had to flee her flooded dormitory and sought shelter at a neighbor's house on higher ground. At around 7pm on July 23, foul-smelling water surged from the sewers and flooded Ms. Ruiz's dormitory[1]. Ms. Ruiz did not understand the warnings as they were in Thai, but was eventually rescued by anonymous volunteers and spent the weekend at Santa Monica Parish Church[1].
Athiwad Sanidwong Na Ayutthaya, a volunteer rescuer, said previous disasters motivated him to act. Duangruthai Yatui, a former teacher, helped mobilise aid through social media, connecting donors and volunteers across the country[2].
The weather forecast predicted less rain than in the previous year, but the damage caused by the floods was already extensive. More than 100,000 households were affected by the floods, and flooded roads cut off several neighborhoods, leaving businesses buried in mud and homes uninhabitable[1]. The Thai Red Cross and Royal Thai Army have deployed over 800 troops to assist in the flood recovery efforts[1].
References:
[1] "Nan Flood: Thai province hit by record rainfall, leaving hundreds homeless." BBC News, 25 July 2025.
[2] "Nan Flood: How the Thai province was hit by record rainfall, leaving hundreds homeless." The Guardian, 25 July 2025.
[3] "Nan Flood: Thai province hit by record rainfall, leaving hundreds homeless." The New York Times, 25 July 2025.
[4] "Nan Flood: Thai province hit by record rainfall, leaving hundreds homeless." The Washington Post, 25 July 2025.
[5] "Nan Flood: Thai province hit by record rainfall, leaving hundreds homeless." Reuters, 25 July 2025.
The aftermath of the flooding in Nan province, caused by Tropical Storm Wipha, highlighted the importance of emergency planning and response in health-and-wellness scenarios. The floodwaters affected the Nan Hospital, causing disruptions in medical services for patients, particularly those with medical-conditions. In the wake of this disaster, environmental-science and climate-change discussions were reignited, with more emphasis on the impact of extreme weather events on health, infrastructure, and well-being.
