Heavy rain and flash flood warning for 51 Thailand provinces

The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a warning for 51 provinces in Thailand, advising residents to prepare for heavy to very heavy rainfall, flash floods, and forest runoffs. The announcement comes as a strong monsoon is expected to impact the region starting today.

Thailand is expected to experience increased rainfall, with some areas facing heavy to very heavy downpours. The upper northern, upper northeastern, eastern, and southern western regions are particularly at risk. Residents in these areas are urged to be cautious of potential dangers, including flash floods and forest runoffs, especially in foothill regions near watercourses and low-lying areas.

TMD’s announcement highlights the movement of the monsoon trough across the northern, northeastern, and upper central regions. Concurrently, a rather strong southwesterly monsoon is affecting the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. This combination is expected to result in heavy rainfall in several provinces today.

The provinces likely to experience heavy to very heavy rain include Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Uttaradit, Tak, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phitsanulok, and Phetchabun in the north.

In the northeastern region, Loei, Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, Surin, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani are predicted to be affected.

The central region will see heavy rain in Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Lopburi, Saraburi, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, and Samut Sakhon, including Bangkok and its vicinity.

Heavy rain

In the eastern region, Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat are on alert.

The southern region will have heavy rainfall in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun.

Strong winds and waves are also expected in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Between today and tomorrow, the upper Andaman Sea will experience waves of 2 to 3 metres, with areas of thunderstorms seeing waves over 3 metres.

The upper Gulf of Thailand will have waves around 2 metres, while the lower Andaman Sea will see waves of 1 to 2 metres, with thunderstorms bringing waves higher than 2 metres. Mariners in these areas are advised to exercise caution and avoid sailing in stormy conditions. Small boats in the upper Andaman Sea should remain ashore during this period.

Residents are encouraged to stay updated with announcements from the Meteorological Department. Information is available on their website at http://www.tmd.go.th or via phone at 0-2399-4012-13 and 1182, available 24 hours a day, reported KhaoSod.

The announcement, issued today at 5am, indicates that the TMD will release the next update at 5pm today.