BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand’s northeastern region is bracing for heavy rainfall as a strengthening storm approaches Vietnam’s coast, the Meteorological Department warned on Wednesday.
A depression in the upper South China Sea is expected to intensify into a tropical storm, making landfall in Vietnam early Friday, Sept 20.
The storm’s outer bands will first impact Thailand’s northeast, where cloud cover is already increasing.
“Heavy to very heavy rain and strong winds are expected, starting in the upper and central northeast before affecting the lower north,” the department said.
The southwest monsoon is also intensifying, interacting with the depression and a low-pressure system. This will bring heavy rainfall to the lower central region, including Bangkok and its vicinity, the east, and parts of the south, especially along the Andaman coast.
Rough seas are forecast, with 2-4 meter waves in the Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand, potentially exceeding 4 meters in thunderstorm areas. The storm’s effects are expected to last until Sept 23, with continued rainfall likely through the end of September due to the monsoon trough.
The National Water Resources Office (NWRO) has issued a flash flood, forest runoff, and landslide warning for 45 provinces due to the approaching storm. Ten rivers are at risk of overflowing, with vigilance required from Sept 19-25.
Affected areas include northern provinces like Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, northeastern provinces such as Loei and Ubon Ratchathani, all eastern provinces, and southern provinces including Phuket and Surat Thani.
The NWRO also cautioned about medium and small reservoirs exceeding 80% capacity and the potential for rapid water level increases in main rivers and tributaries.
The Royal Irrigation Department plans to gradually increase water discharge from the Chao Phraya Dam to prepare for the incoming storm. The current rate of 1,099 cubic meters per second will be raised to a maximum of 1,500 cubic meters per second, likely starting Sept 22-23.
This increase will raise water levels by 60 centimeters to 1 meter in low-lying areas outside flood barriers in Ang Thong and Ayutthaya provinces. (TNA)
