In northern Thailand, Bishop Joseph Vuthilert Haelom of Chiang Rai, along with parishioners and hundreds of hill tribe volunteers, are urgently working to clear thick mud left by a recent flash flood. The floodwaters, which reached neck-high levels in some areas, have receded, but the aftermath remains daunting, with about a foot of mud covering much of the city. The Bishop emphasized the need for swift action before the mud dries, making the cleanup even more challenging. Fire trucks from Chiang Rai and neighboring Chiang Mai are assisting in washing away the sludge.

In some neighborhoods, the mud is more than a meter deep, and residents are pleading for help. Local schools have also suffered significant damage from the floods and a nearby river’s overflow. Bishop Haelom expressed uncertainty about when they will be able to reopen, given the scale of destruction.

Heavy rains have also severely impacted the Udon Thani Diocese in northeastern Thailand, particularly along the Mekong River, where water levels have risen as high as two meters in certain areas. These floods, triggered by Typhoon Yagi, have caused widespread damage and fatalities throughout Southeast Asia, including the Philippines and Myanmar.

Northern and northeastern Thailand have experienced some of the worst flooding in recent history. Despite the deluge, the annual parish feast in Nong Khai province proceeded, with Bishop Joseph Luechai Thatwisai of Udon Thani arriving by boat to celebrate Mass in a flooded church, joined by priests who braved the waters.

As of Friday, Thai authorities reported that the death toll from the floods had risen to 10, with Tropical Storm Yagi affecting over 73,000 families, primarily in northern Thailand. A total of 27 provinces have been impacted, with Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, both popular tourist destinations, being among the hardest hit.

In Chiang Rai, considered to be experiencing its worst flooding in decades, four people have died, two were injured, and 43,329 families were affected. In Chiang Mai, six deaths have been reported, with three injured and 14,216 families affected, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. Other provinces suffering from the floods include Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, and Phetchabun, while parts of Ang Thong and Ayutthaya have been submerged due to the overflow of the Chao Phraya River. Despite the devastation, the Tourism Authority of Thailand assured that major tourist areas remain largely unaffected.