Flood of 2011

We have been receiving record rain this entire year.  We are now in the midst of the “official” raining season.  During this season, we have been getting rain on a daily basis.  Over the last couple of days we have had torrential rain in Chiang Mai.  On Tues, September 27th, the Nam Ping River burst is banks in Chiang Mai around 1pm.  This is the main river in the city and it runs through the center of our city.  Those people living in the city are greatly affected.  Our home is outside the city and on higher ground, so we are safe and dry.

Our office is located 5 minutes from the river.  On Wednesday, J’s office was evacuated due to the flooding.  Several of the men spent the morning moving furniture to the second floor of the office to prepare for the potential flooding inside the building.  The office has been sandbagged and is closed until Monday of next week or later.  We went to the office late last night and the water has reached the road and it is only a matter of time until it reaches the office. 

We are expected to get more rain today and another storm this weekend.  They will continue to open the dam to the north of our city to prevent flooding in our cities in the northern region.  This however will create more flooding for us here.

 

Here is an internet article with more specifics and pictures of the flooding.

http://www.rideasia.net/forum/nam-ping-river-bursts-it-s-banks-in-chiang-mai-t890.html

View of the Ping River

Road in the night market—touristy area and near the home of one of our office workers.

Market where we buy fabric and fruit—Ping River near the bridge by the office

Market where we buy fabric and the old iron bridge by the office

View of homes by the river in the city

Main bridge and road in the center of town

Road outside the American consulate office and another view of the fabric market

Please lift up the people of this region and ask the Father to have mercy on these people.  May we have an opportunity to share and minister in great ways through this event.