Weather warning for Phuket ahead of cyclone landfall in Vietnam

PHUKET: The Thai Meteorological Department today issued a “torrential rain” warning for much of Thailand as tropical cyclone Gaemi in the South China Sea is expected make landfall over central Vietnam this weekend.

“This will affect Thailand during October 4-8,” said the warning, issued by TMD Acting Director-General Somchai Baimoung.

The outfall from Cyclone Gaemi is expected to combine with the prevailing southwest monsoon over the Gulf of Thailand, the South and the Andaman Sea, including Phuket.

“These [together should] cause torrential rain with heavy to very heavy [rain] in some places of the lower North, the Northeast, the Central, the East and the upper South of the country,” said the warning.

“People in the risk areas should beware of the severe weather. Strong wind waves up to three meters high were expected in the Andaman Sea. All ships should proceed with caution, and small boats keep ashore,” the warning added.