On September 29, 2025, Sukrit Kerdsaeng, Director of the Northern Meteorological Center, revealed that Thailand is currently being affected by Typhoon Bualoi, which has weakened from a typhoon to a tropical storm. Although the storm is not directly moving into northern Thailand, it is heading toward Myanmar. However, it has influenced the monsoon trough in the upper central region, drawing it into the northern region.
Today, September 30, 2025, the monsoon trough is expected to further impact northern Chiang Mai and Lampang, with rainfall levels projected to range from 100 to 150 mm.
The Director of the Northern Meteorological Center noted that the heavy, accumulated rainfall has led to high soil moisture and significant water retention across much of the northern region. He emphasized vigilance regarding flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas.
Meanwhile, Irrigation officials have prepared for Tropical Storm Bualoi by raising the six floodgates at Doi Noi Weir in Doi Lor District to speed up water drainage. At the same time, the Mae Soi floodgate in Chom Thong District—the final floodgate on the Ping River, which channels water into Doi Tao Lake—has been raised by 2.0 meters across all ten gates. The combined flow rate now stands at 915.29 cubic meters per second.
The director of the Chiang Mai Irrigation Project explained that the raising of floodgates from the Chiang Mai city area to the Mae Soi floodgate is intended to accelerate the flow of floodwaters through the city’s economic zone. This action aims to divert excess water into Doi Tao Lake, increasing the Ping River’s capacity in anticipation of Tropical Storm Bualoi. According to forecasts from the Northern Meteorological Center, the storm is expected to affect Chiang Mai between September 29 and October 1, 2025.
