A sudden flash flood at Mae Sa Waterfall in Chiang Mai, Thailand, swept away several tourists who were taking selfies in a restricted area on August 15. The visitors had reportedly ignored warning signs before entering the zone on rocks in the river.
Footage from the incident shows the tourists stranded as the water rapidly rose around them. Raging currents carried some individuals downstream while others shouted for help. Park rangers were able to reach the group and pull them to safety. The tourists sustained only minor injuries, according to reports.
One witness, Arttie Martin, was preparing to enter the river himself when the torrent surged. "It was truly a matter of split seconds," Martin told Viral Press. "I was just about to take off my shoes and walk into the middle to follow the foreigners and take a photo of the waterfall. Just then, I heard an officer blow a whistle, and right after that, it unfolded exactly as seen. It happened so fast."
Park staff stated that officers had warned the tourists to leave the water shortly before the flash flood occurred around 4:20 p.m. local time. The incident serves as a cautionary tale, especially during Thailand's monsoon season, which typically runs from May to October and brings storms and flooding.
Authorities have closed the Mae Sa waterfall to the public as water levels have begun to recede. The Northern Meteorological Centre had previously issued warnings of heavy to very heavy rainfall across the northern region, including Chiang Mai, from August 18 to 21, due to a monsoon trough and a strong south-west monsoon. Residents and travelers were urged to be vigilant for flash floods, particularly in hillside areas near waterways and low-lying regions, and to avoid flood-prone routes.