Mae Sai residents dealing with massive amounts of mud after flooding

After a massive effort to dispose of a huge amount of mud, in the aftermath of the worst flooding for 30 years to hit Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai last September, the residents of this major trading post with Myanmar are now trying desperately to cope with another thick layer of mud in their houses, shops and on roads.

While receding, many parts of the town are still knee-deep in floodwater. Cleanup work by local agencies and the military has just begun and it may take weeks before situation returns to normal.

Some residents have already started cleaning their houses and shops, which are covered in a thick layer of mud and other sediments brought by the floodwater.

Several people said that they have been luckier than last September, thanks to the floodwall built by the military late last year, which has helped to reduce the impacts of last week’s floods.

Some of them are, however, complaining that they are yet to receive compensation from the state for last year’s devastating inundation.

Kaew Kachorn, owner of a rice stall in Mai Loong Khoon market, said that this is the third flood this year, adding that, although the damage is not as bad as last year, she suffers financial losses every time.

She also claimed that there is a new cause for concern. There are toxic substances in the floodwaters, from the unregulated mining in Shan state of Myanmar.

Nongnut Singkaew, another resident, urged local officials to accelerate the cleanup, by deploying heavy machinery, so the town can return to business as usual.