Flooding feared as storms blow into upper Thailand

By THE NATION

 

 

Irrigation officials nationwide are on alert for the first heavy rains of the wet season, which will hit the North, Northeast, Central region and the East until Wednesday (May 13), according to the Thai Meteorological Department.

 

Royal Irrigation Department director-general Thongplew Kongjun has ordered to staff to remain at their posts in storm-hit areas to aid locals affected by the onset of the wet season, which usually brings flash flooding.

 

He also instructed department staff to check whether water infrastructure could deal with the sudden increase in water volumes. Meanwhile, related agencies have been ordered to provide timely and thorough updates on the water situation to flood-prone communities.

 

According to the Thai Meteorological Department, thunderstorms are expected until May 13 due to a high-pressure system from China, which is whipping up southerly and south-easterly winds in upper Thailand.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30387658

 

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Kinda early to be talking about flood fears when we're just eeking our way out of one the worst drought seasons in several decades. Also this is projected to be a La Niña year when rainy season could be lighter than hoped. As far as I and many many others (especially farmers) are concerned - BRING ON THE RAINS!!! 

Oh please please come to East. A tiny 5min storm just passed over Pattaya, not anywhere near enough what is needed to get the reservoirs working. We need a 1-2 week deluge.

is that dam made of glass?

Fear of drought trumps fear of flooding here in Isaan.  Yesterday’s 1 cm of rainfall didn’t cut it for farmers waiting to plant.  And reservoirs looking mighty low...

Satellite at 9:35 Tuesday morning. Does that look like a recipe for filling dams?

 

52 minutes ago, SantiSuk said:

Satellite at 9:35 Tuesday morning. Does that look like a recipe for filling dams?

 

That map doesn't look right!  I am in Phitsanulok province and neither it or Phichit are mentioned!  ????

19 hours ago, webfact said:

He also instructed department staff to check whether water infrastructure could deal with the sudden increase in water volumes

A little late for that? It kind of sums up the ongoing problems with too much or not enough

water in Thailand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Rains are far more desirable than drought, and we are all willing to risk some flooding to get some precipitation. It has been blazing hot, and we are coming off one of the driest winters is recent memory. Sugar cane growth was done by almost 50%, due to the lack of rain (I have no compassion for the cane growers, as they are responsible for fouling the air, to no end, but use that simply as a comparison) and rain is desperately needed. 

21 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

rain is desperately needed

Still many areas with a big deficit from normal.

We are lucky now being a "white" area.

Some real strong thundershowers this month.

Comparison to normal of this years rain fall until May 11:

Edited May 12, 20206 yr by KhunBENQ

21 hours ago, Captain_Bob said:

 this is projected to be a La Niña year when rainy season could be lighter than hoped. As far as I and many many others (especially farmers) are concerned - BRING ON THE RAINS!!! 

#1 This year (2020) is neutral for during Thailand's monsoon season... not a La Nina cycle. 2019 was an El Nino year.
#2 Thailand (and the Asian side of the Pacific) tends to have more rain during La Nina cycles and less rain during El Nino cycles.
https://www.climate.gov/enso for the forecast, and this info for the explanation.
 

During La Niña, it’s the opposite. The surface winds across the entire tropical Pacific are stronger than usual, and most of the tropical Pacific Ocean is cooler than average. Rainfall increases over Indonesia (where waters remain warm) and decreases over the central tropical Pacific (which is cool). Over Indonesia, there is more rising air motion and lower surface pressure. There is more sinking air motion over the cooler waters of the central and eastern Pacific.  [https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/el-ni%C3%B1o-and-la-ni%C3%B1a-frequently-asked-questions]

 

Rain is needed, but warmer oceans an atmosphere hold more moisture aloft... until precipitation begins, and that's when rains can be heavier. Crops on hillsides absorb heavy rain less than forested areas, so runoff can be heavier, increasing the chances of flash flooding. Farmers could (but generally don't) reduce such runoff by adding ditches on contour so as to catch and hold the water rather than let it erode their fields.

Nice, I have my swimming trunks ready, oh wait we are not allowed to swim. emmm....

So far, in my village, not one drop this week ..... had a few clouds and wind, but only local showers, very short lived.

On 5/11/2020 at 5:48 PM, cyril sneer said:

is that dam made of glass?

looks like Bhumibhol Dam in Tak... no glass, just a reflection... 

TMD is usually good at longer term forecasting, they got this one completely wrong, hot 40°c+ and dry and no rain for weeks now outside of Udon.

Someone inputted the wrong data into their computer!

18 minutes ago, kenk24 said:

looks like Bhumibhol Dam in Tak... no glass, just a reflection... 

It's definitely not Udonrat! that's been near enough to dry for a year now! Sad to see...

On 5/12/2020 at 11:46 AM, spidermike007 said:

Rains are far more desirable than drought, and we are all willing to risk some flooding to get some precipitation. It has been blazing hot, and we are coming off one of the driest winters is recent memory. Sugar cane growth was done by almost 50%, due to the lack of rain (I have no compassion for the cane growers, as they are responsible for fouling the air, to no end, but use that simply as a comparison) and rain is desperately needed. 

Incoherent post. What's your point? - apart from trying to talk for everyone... Sugar cane was down but it wasn't only due to the lack of water - at least some facts would be welcome.

Edited May 13, 20206 yr by ParkerN