Weather Alert - More Rain In Northeast, East And South

[Jai Dee]

More rain in Northeast, East and South

The Meteorological Department reported today (October 1st) at 05:00 hours that Tropical Storm Lekima in the middle South China Sea was centered about 550 kilometers east of Dahnang, Vietnam, or latitude 14.7 degrees Central and longitude 113.0 degrees East, with maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour. The tropical storm is moving westward at a speed of 12 kilometers per hour. As a result, the southwest monsoon across the Andaman Sea, the Gulf of Thailand and the South of Thailand will intensify from October 1st to 4th, bringing more rain with torrential downpours and gust through the eastern and lower parts of the Northeast, the inland and coast of the East and the South.

People along provinces prone to disaster of Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Satun and Surat Thani provinces should beware of heavy rain and flash flood within the next few days. Besides, the intense southwest monsoon produces high wave of above two meters over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. All ships should proceed with extreme caution and small boats are advised to keep ashore during this period.

Meanwhile, Bangkok metropolis and vicinity will likely see scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy rain. The minimum temperature would be 25 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature would be 34 degrees Celsius. The speed of southwesterly winds will be around 15 to 30 kilometers per hour.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 01 October 2007

[Jai Dee]

Meteorological Department closely monitoring Lekima tropical depression

The Meteorological Department is urging citizens to closely monitor the Lekima tropical depression during this period.

The Director General of the Meteorological Department, Mr. Suparik Thansrirattanawong (ศุภฤกษ์ ตันศรีรัตนวงศ์ ), reports that the tropical depression Lekima (พายุโซนร้อน "เลกีมา") is currently 550 kilometers from Vietnam and will reach the Vietnamese coast within 2 days, and will most likely influence weather in Thailand from October 1-4. Residents living in southern region provinces along the Andaman coastline, including Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Satun, and Surat Thani are advised to take precaution against flash floods and forest floods, in addition to strong winds. Small boats are advised to remain in port.

Provinces in the northeastern region, including Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Maha Sarakham, Kalasin, Si Saket, and Ubon Ratchathani are predicted to experience rainshowers. The Bangkok metropolitan area is expected to experience rainshowers in 70 percent of local areas later this evening.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 01 October 2007

[NBT TV Phuket]

Another boat accident; near Ko Racha

Unfortunately reports just came in from Marine Police of another boat accident, this time a fishing boat with 3 rescued, including foreigner, possibly Taiwanese(s) and Thai(s), but 2 missing, near Ko Racha islands, south of Phuket.

Those at sea should particularly note current weather warning from Meteorological Department:

"At 04.00 p.m. today, the tropical storm “Lekima” in the middle South China Sea was centered about 490 km east of Dahnang, Vietnam or Lat 15.6 oN, Long 112.8 oE with maximum sustained winds of 100 km/hr. The storm was moving northwestward at a speed of 12 km/hr. As a result, the southwest monsoon across the Andaman Sea, the Gulf and the South of Thailand will intensify during 1-4 October, bringing more rain with torrential in the East and South. People along provinces prone to disaster of Chanthaburi, Trat, Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Satun and Surat Thani beware of heavy rain and flash flood in the following 2-3 days. Besides, the intense southwest monsoon produces high wave over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf. All ships should proceed with extreme caution and small boats keep ashore during this period."

Andaman News program on TV11 VHF dial in Phuket Phang Nga & Krabi, returns on Tuesday 2 October, at 8.30am, with radio FM90.5 & 108 and Phuket cable TV channel 1 repeats in evening, and text-minivideos on Thaisnews.com , most weekdays...

[Jai Dee]

Influences from tropical storm Lekima bring heavy rain, high wave and flooding conditions nationwide

The Meteorological Department reported at 04:00 hours today (October 2nd) that the tropical storm Lekima in the middle South China Sea was centered about 400 km east of Dahnang in Vietnam, or situated at latitude 16.3 degrees North and longitude 111.8 degrees East, with maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour. The tropical storm is moving northwestward at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour. As a result, the southwest monsoon across the Andaman Sea, the Gulf of Thailand and the South of Thailand will intensify, bringing more rain with torrential in the East and South.

People along the provinces prone to disaster of Chanthaburi, Trat, Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Satun, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Songkhla should beware of heavy rain and flash flood within the next few days. Besides, the intense southwest monsoon produces high wave over the Andaman Sea and the Thai Gulf. All ships should proceed with extreme caution and small boats are advised to keep ashore during this period.

Bangkok metropolis and vicinity will likely experience cloudy skies with scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy rain. The minimum temperature would be 25 degrees Celsius while the maximum temperature would be 34 degrees Celsius. The speed of southwesterly winds will be around 15 to 30 kilometers per hour.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 October 2007

[Jai Dee]

7 Northeastern provinces warned of heavy rains because of Lekima

The Meteorological Department Wednesday warned residents of seven northeastern provinces to brace themselves for heavy rains due to influence of Lekima tropical storm.

The department said the storm's influence would unleash heavy downpours in Nakhon Phanom, Kalasin, Mukdahan, Roi Et, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Surin, Sisaket and Ubon Ratchathani Wednesday and Thursday.

It said in the 13th announcement over the storm that at 4.00 a.m. Wednesday, Typhoon "Lekima" in the South China Sea was downgrade to the severe tropical storm and has its centered about 450 km east of Nakhon Phanom province or Lat 18.0 N, Long 109.0 E.

Source: The Nation - 03 October 2007

[Scott]

I was watching the weather report on CNN, and there are 3 rather large storms swirling around out in the Pacific. I hope we get spared the brunt of them.

[Jai Dee]

DDPM monitors flash flood in the South

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) instructs its provincial units in the East and the South to prepare officials to monitor flash flood during this period.

Director-General of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Anucha Mokkhavesa (อนุชา โมกขะเวส), reveals that isolated heavy rain is expected in some areas in October which is a passing period between rainy season and winter. In addition, the Lekima storm will strengthen the Southwestern monsoon at the Andaman Sea, the Southern region, and the Gulf of Thailand, resulting in flash flood.

The director-general says the disaster prevention and mitigation offices in the provinces of Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Surat Thani, and Songkhla have been assigned to monitor the situation around the clock and prepare equipments to provide immediate assistance for disaster victims.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 03 October 2007

[nonthaburial]

I was watching the weather report on CNN, and there are 3 rather large storms swirling around out in the Pacific. I hope we get spared the brunt of them.

Thailand has never felt the full brunt of a fully blown typhoon. Agreed we do experience some of the outer bands, but in general they are nothing. As you say, these storms are brewing in the Western Pacific, to the East of the Philippines and Taiwan.

Now if you should be residing in one of those two countries then I would agree with your fears ! especially as the Phils experience an average of 17 direct hits every year and a lot of these are super typhoons

As someone once said, its a way of controlling the population growth

[lopburi3]

Typhoon Gay in 1989 hit Thailand, hard.

Typhoon Gay (1989 TY 32W) was the tropical cyclone which caused significant damage in province Chumphon of Thailand and eastern India in November of 1989. The storm formed on November 1 in the southern Gulf of Thailand, and dissipated over the Western Ghats mountains of India on November 10. The storm was unique in being the only tropical cyclone to hit Thailand with full typhoon wind speed, but its origin in the Gulf, its small size despite its high intensity, and the fact the storm was active in two different tropical cyclone basins also made it an unusual tropical storm.

[Tony Clifton]

I was watching the weather report on CNN, and there are 3 rather large storms swirling around out in the Pacific. I hope we get spared the brunt of them.

Thailand has never felt the full brunt of a fully blown typhoon. Agreed we do experience some of the outer bands, but in general they are nothing. As you say, these storms are brewing in the Western Pacific, to the East of the Philippines and Taiwan.

Now if you should be residing in one of those two countries then I would agree with your fears ! especially as the Phils experience an average of 17 direct hits every year and a lot of these are super typhoons

As someone once said, its a way of controlling the population growth

Typhoon Gay I believe. My father in law's fishing fleet lost two boats (crew of 40-50 each). Those who survived the sinking spent 7 days adrift together in the Gulf hanging on to anything that floated. His home, up in Samut Prakan was flooded by the surge. Many gave up and drowned before being rescued, thinking of his family was what gave him the strength to hang on. He's long retired now but still has the beam from the bow beneath the Buddha statue at home.

Edited October 3, 2007 by Tony Clifton