Elephants Drown in Severe Flooding in Northern Thailand

lampang - Several elephants drowned during heavy floods in northern Thailand, causing devastation and heartbreak.

Earlier this week, over three thousand animals, including 117 elephants, were evacuated from shelters. However, sudden floods submerged higher areas, resulting in the disappearance of thirty elephants.

Authorities, volunteers, and mahouts (local elephant keepers and trainers) from other elephant camps rushed to help, but rising water levels, weather conditions, and obstacles hindered rescue efforts.

This morning, employees of the Elephant Nature Park found the lifeless body of one elephant, Pang Fah Sai, who had been swept away by the nearby river. Another blind elephant, Pang Ploy Thong, also did not survive, unable to keep up with the other elephants and drowning in the water.

The search for the remaining missing elephants, including ten aggressive males, continued into the evening with helicopters and infrared cameras. A significant number of cattle and buffaloes have also disappeared in Lampang province.

"We have finally located all the elephants," said Saengduean Chailert, the founder of Elephant Nature Park, visibly exhausted. "We are now assessing the animals' conditions, and I cannot provide further details."

Chailert mentioned that the water rose nearly up to the roofs of the enclosures, dragging the elephants out. "It is heartbreaking," she expressed.

According to Chailert, the elephants were relocated from low-lying areas to higher ground upon receiving flood warnings. They were not chained at night but enclosed by fences. "Who could have imagined that even the elevated areas would not be safe?"

For weeks, northern Thailand has been plagued by heavy rainfall and landslides. The Ping River running through Chiang Mai reached a record height of 5.3 meters on Saturday, the highest in fifty years.

Many areas are submerged at least a meter deep. Key economic zones in Chiang Mai have been heavily affected again, following a major flood last month.

Authorities have started evacuating tourists to safer areas. Despite this, several hotels remain open, accommodating visitors who opt to stay.