Wangkaew Waterfall is flowing strongly and murkily after continuous rain. Authorities have warned residents downstream to monitor flash flood flows coming from Doi Luang.
On 19 Aug 2023, staff at the Wangkaew Waterfall unit of Doi Luang National Park in Lampang Province alerted government agencies and residents living downstream along the Wang River and its tributaries in Wangkaew Subdistrict, Wang Nuea District. After 2:00 p.m. that day, muddy red flash flood waters flowed down from the mountains into Wangkaew Waterfall. The current was strong and water levels rose rapidly.
Mr. Thotsaphon Jakbunma, the Wang Nuea district chief, ordered monitoring and warnings for residents downstream in Wangkaew, Thung Hua, and Wang Nuea subdistricts to watch for flash flood flows from Doi Luang. Continuous rainfall in Mueang Pan and Wang Nuea districts, which are headwater areas, caused water to flow down creeks and into Wangkaew Waterfall, which has 111 tiers. The floodwaters might overflow and inundate local homes. Residents were urged to closely follow the situation and prepare to move belongings to higher ground for safety.