Hundreds of people in Uttaradit yesterday evacuated to higher ground in the face of imminent flooding and landslides.

The evacuation followed flash floods in the province late Thursday night that affected a large number of residents. Many had to struggle for their lives when the floods hit their homes and cut off local roads.

Rescue workers were working hard to help the flood victims.

Saeng and Won Wannorkaew, both in their sixties, were clinging to trees in a bid to survive the furious torrents of water when rescue workers found them. It took the rescuers more than an hour to help them out of the area.

The elderly victims were hospitalised for exhaustion and high blood pressure.

"I was so shocked when I saw my parents clinging to the tree branches amid the rushing torrent. I would like to give a big thanks to the rescue workers," the victims' son Jaeng said with tears in his eyes.

Jaeng was tending to his son at a hospital when the floods ravaged his village. He rushed back when he heard about the flooding.

Several leaders in Uttaradit's Laplae district yesterday ordered the evacuation of residents.

The electricity supply was also cut off in the district after many people suffered electric shocks while trying to move their belongings out of their flooded homes.

Landslides also took place and partially blocked the Uttaradit-Denchai Road. Motorists were asked to be extra-cautious when driving along the route.

In Chiang Mai, an overflowing river also slowly raised flood levels in the city. Many houses were submerged. In Mae Rim district, more than 15 water buffaloes at a tourist attraction were evacuated to higher ground after their shelter was submerged.

Meanwhile, heavy downpours caused flooding in Phitsanulok's Chat Trakan and Nakhon Thai districts, where several villages were marooned.

Local authorities also warned residents in Phitsanulok's economic zone to brace for imminent flooding as the water level in a local river rose dangerously.

The Phitsanulok disaster prevention and mitigation office and Nakhon Phisanulok Municipality issued the stern warning yesterday to people living in town, especially those living on the banks of the Nan River that flows through several areas.

In another province, Phetchabun, a furious torrent of floodwater swept away a man, while another person died from electrocution. Both residential areas and farmland were flooded.

In Tak's Sam Ngao district, the rising water level in the Wang River caused alarm among authorities. Sandbags formed a temporary embankment along the river as people packed their belongings in preparation for immediate evacuation in case of flooding.

Meanwhile, the State Railway of Thailand suspended its train services between Chiang Mai and Bangkok yesterday and today pending track repairs in Phrae and Lamphun.