Patients Evacuated as Flooding Swamps Hospital
Severe flooding has forced the evacuation of patients from Sawang Arom Hospital in Udon Thani province as water levels reached 30–70 centimetres in the municipal area. Authorities are transferring patients requiring ongoing care to Nong Chang and Tap Tan hospitals, which remain unaffected. The flooding stems from overflow of channels fed by runoff from national parks in neighbouring provinces, with water levels continuing to rise.
Severe flooding in Sawang Arom Subdistrict has inundated the municipal area to depths of 30–70 centimetres, forcing the evacuation of patients from Sawang Arom Hospital to nearby facilities for safety. Since 29 September, floodwaters have affected the commercial zone and municipal area of Sawang Arom Subdistrict, with water levels rising continuously and breaching the hospital grounds. This has disrupted medical staff and patient transport in and out of the facility.
As of late afternoon, the Tap Tan–Sawang Arom road is flooded 30–70 centimetres deep, impassable to small vehicles, while water continues seeping into the hospital compound.
Udon Thani Provincial Governor Sombutti Traisak, alongside provincial public health and irrigation officials and the disaster relief office, is coordinating response efforts. Police, military, rescue volunteers, and local government bodies are working together to transfer patients requiring ongoing care to Nong Chang and Tap Tan hospitals, which have not been affected by flooding, ensuring safe treatment.
The flooding has been caused by runoff from Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Sawan and Kamphaeng Phet provinces. The Klong Pho and Khwae Takhian Daeng channels overflowed simultaneously, sending water across the district and affecting almost the entire municipal area. "Water levels continue rising, so we must urgently evacuate patients needing ongoing treatment to Nong Chang and Tap Tan hospitals for their safety, while facilitating the movement of patients and medical personnel throughout the day," the Governor stated.
