National park authorities have closed access to Wang Kaeo waterfall in the northern province of Lampang after persistent rain caused fears of sudden flood surges that could endanger visitors.
Wirat Parasri, chief of Wang Kaeo waterfall conservation unit, said on Friday that incessant rain falling on Doi Luang National Park, that includes Wang Kaeo waterfall, raised fears of dangerous runoff as local streams were rising and had turned murky.
He said it was raining heavily, especially on a high mountain in the national park that was a catchment area supplying water to Wang Kaeo waterfall in Wang Nua district and the Wang river in Lampang.
Therefore, local authorities had closed Wang Kaeo waterfall and trails to its 109 tiers. Swimmng and camping was prohibited all accommodation facilities closed indefinitely.
Forest rangers were monitoring the waterflow and if they see runoff swelling the stream would issue urgent warnings to communities downstream in Wang Kaeo sub-district of Wang Nua district, so they could make preparations to cope with it.