Yotsanan and Suriya joined the Deputy Minister of Interior at Station N.1 to order the establishment of a Single Command center to manage flooding in Nan, warning that water levels threaten to overflow reinforced embankments by 60 centimeters, and commanded incident control through the night.
On 19 August 2026, reporters reported that flood conditions in Nan province remain concerning after continuous heavy to very heavy rain. Especially in Pua district, where 24-hour accumulated rainfall reached 277.6 millimeters, causing flash floods and overflow from Nan, Pua, Yang, and Khwang Rivers, flooding homes and agricultural areas. Currently, four districts—Pua, Phu Phiang, Santhisuk, and Tha Wang Pha—are affected with floodwaters between 0.50 and 1.20 meters deep.
At approximately 8:00 p.m., Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Yotsanan Wongsawat, acting as incident commander, along with Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Suriya Jungroongruangkit and Deputy Minister of Interior Jeset Thaiset, traveled to water monitoring Station N.1 (Northern Development Bridge) in Mueang district, Nan province to closely monitor water levels. They were accompanied by Department of Irrigation Director-General Wittaya Kaewmee, senior irrigation officials, Nan Governor Chainarong Wongyai, and former MP candidate Songyot Ramsut, who also reported on the situation.
Agriculture Minister Suriya instructed and emphasized that the Department of Irrigation and local irrigation projects closely monitor rainfall and water levels 24 hours a day, while urgently deploying machinery and water pumps to support drainage efforts. Currently, a 14-inch pump has been installed in Mueang Nan district and three 8-inch pumps in Wiang Sa district to accelerate relief and minimize public hardship.
The latest Nan River situation at Station N.1 shows water at 7.62 meters above mean sea level, which is 0.88 meters below the reinforced embankment level but continues rising steadily. Warnings were issued to monitor potential overflow along the Phu Phiang and Mueang district banks between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m., with projections that water will overflow the reinforced embankment on the Mueang side by up to 0.60 meters between 2:00 and 4:00 a.m. on 20 August.
Deputy Prime Minister Yotsanan revealed that following the Prime Minister's orders, a Single Command operations center has been established. The Cabinet and all agencies will maintain constant monitoring and command in the area 24 hours a day, coordinating with provincial authorities to mobilize additional personnel for frontline operations. While Yotsanan was briefing the media, warning messages were sent via Cell Broadcast to residents’ mobile phones in risk areas to prepare for the flood situation.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized, "The safety of the people is the highest priority." He urged that residents in risk areas be warned to evacuate immediately to safe locations and to raise belongings at least 60 centimeters above ground to minimize damage from the expected floodwaters tonight. He also assigned the Department of Disaster Prevention and Nan Provincial Administrative Organization to prepare in advance to begin recovery and rehabilitation of affected areas and homes as soon as water levels recede.
After inspecting conditions at Station N.1, Yotsanan proceeded to the Nan provincial incident command center to closely monitor and assess water levels alongside Nan Governor, district chiefs from all districts, Nan Provincial Police, the Internal Security Operations Command, the 38th Military Circle, local administrative agencies, and volunteer Nakorn Silachai (Ple Nakorn), who joined the field mission to support relief efforts for residents.
