Storm warning: April showers bring flood horrors to Thailand
Thailand’s weather chiefs have issued a dire warning as a monster storm threatens to drench the nation. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) sounded the alarm today, April 2, forecasting torrential downpours and fierce winds across 30 provinces, including Bangkok.
The deluge could trigger flash floods and deadly forest runoff, turning roads into rivers and homes into waterlogged disaster zones.
Residents in mountainous and low-lying areas have been urged to stay on high alert, as authorities fear the worst.
With the storm brewing, a TMD spokesperson warned locals to take no chances.
“This is a serious weather event. Be prepared and stay safe.”
In the south, increased rain and strong winds are expected due to an easterly wave moving across the Gulf of Thailand. The lower Gulf will see waves around 2 metres high, while the upper Gulf will experience waves between 1 to 2 metres.
Stormy seas
Thunderstorm areas may have waves exceeding 2 metres. Similar conditions with waves about 1 metre high, rising further offshore, will be present in the Andaman Sea. The officials recommend that sailors in both the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea navigate cautiously and avoid stormy areas.
For the northern and central regions, thunderstorms and gusty winds are anticipated, resulting from a moderate high-pressure system from China covering northeastern Thailand and the South China Sea. This will cause south and southeasterly winds to cover northern and central Thailand, where hot weather is predicted.
Residents in these areas should be wary of thunderstorms and strong winds. Dust and haze accumulation are expected to be moderate to high due to weak to moderate winds.
The weather forecast for April 2 includes hot weather with a 20% chance of thunderstorms in the north, particularly in provinces like Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, and Lampang, with temperatures ranging between 22 and 39 °C.
The northeast will have partly cloudy skies with temperatures between 18 and 35 °C. The central region will be hot with thunderstorms, mainly in Uthai Thani and Kanchanaburi, with temperatures ranging from 24 to 38°C.
The east will experience hot weather with a 30% chance of rain, especially in Chon Buri and Rayong. Temperatures here will be between 24 and 37°C, with sea waves around 1 metre high, exceeding 2 metres during thunderstorms.
Heavy rain
The south (east coast) expects a 70% chance of thunderstorms, with heavy rain in Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chumphon, with temperatures from 22 to 32°C. The south (west coast) will have a 60% chance of thunderstorms, with heavy rain in Phang Nga and Krabi, temperatures ranging from 23 to 31 °C, reported KhaoSod.
Bangkok and its vicinity will be hot, with a 20% chance of thunderstorms and temperatures between 25 and 37 °C. The TMD advises vigilance in response to the severe weather conditions across the country.
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