Typhoon "Damrey" to bring heavy rain to Thailand

[george]

Storm preparations

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) yesterday prepared short-term measures to tackle traffic jams resulting from heavy rain, as meteorologists warned Typhoon Damrey would hit Thailand today.

The typhoon, centred late yesterday near the coast of northern Vietnam, had earlier been downgraded to a tropical storm.

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin said about 200 municipality police officers would be sent to help alleviate traffic jams at 10 city intersections well known for congestion.

Some 300 disaster prevention and mitigation officials will also be on hand to help with broken down cars, while local radio stations will refer complaints to authorities so timely help can be delivered, he said.

Apirak said the BMA’s traffic and transportation department would soon publish maps of short-cuts in traffic-crisis areas. The maps will be available next month and will be distributed to city motorists to help them avoid traffic jams, he said.

As a longer-term solution, the city plans to promote public transportation and the use of 11 bicycle lanes which will be complete in November, Apirak said.

The Meteorological Department warned that although Typhoon Damrey had lost intensity and had been downgraded to a tropical storm, it was still expected to bring heavy rain to the Northeast today.

--The Nation 2005-09-27

[Jai Dee]

Sorry... I just had to comment/laugh at this article...

Apirak said the BMA’s traffic and transportation department would soon publish maps of short-cuts in traffic-crisis areas. The maps will be available next month and will be distributed to city motorists to help them avoid traffic jams, he said.

What use will short-cut maps be next month after the monsoon season is just about finished?

As a longer-term solution, the city plans to promote public transportation and the use of 11 bicycle lanes which will be complete in November, Apirak said.

Can you just imagine the Thais trundling their bicycles through torrential monsoonal rains through Bangkok's flooded city streets?

You've got to be joking...

:D

[ozzydom]

And now just to brighten your day, a second typhoon (LangWang) with wind speeds to 140 knots has formed and is moving along a similar path to Typhoon Damray.

[ovenman]

Apirak said the BMA’s traffic and transportation department would soon publish maps of short-cuts in traffic-crisis areas. The maps will be available next month and will be distributed to city motorists to help them avoid traffic jams, he said

Shortcuts that avoid the traffic jams by using secret hidden roads currently known only to Apirak???

[ozzydom]

Looks like this wet season intends going out with a bang ,not a whimper

[ChiangMaiMike]

Heavy rain in Northeast leads to surge in river levels, floods

BANGKOK: --

Mr Suparerk said the arrival of Damrey had prompted serious discussions about unusual changes in the weather pattern in the region.

``The number of extreme weather events hitting the country has increased in recent years,'' he said. ``Normally, Thailand gets only about two storms each year, but the number has jumped to five this year.

``This is a phenomenon that needs to be further studied.''

The United States had reported similar weather pattern changes, he said. The number of hurricanes hitting the US had increased from an average of 11 in the past to 21 this year.

Some scientists believed rising sea temperatures were the major cause of frequent extreme weather events around the world, he said.

--Bangkok Post 2005-09-27

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What's this guy been smoking? 21 hurricanes hitting the U.S.????

The National Hurricane Center has predicted significantly greater activity for 2005, with 18-21 tropical storms and 9-11 hurricanes projected, 5-7 of which are expected to reach category 3 or greater. So far the season is exceeding expectations; as of September 15, the following activity had occurred:

· 15 named tropical storms

· 7 hurricanes

· 3 major hurricanes (Dennis, Emily, Katrina).

· The earliest date on record by which four named tropical storms formed (Arlene,

Bret, Cindy, Dennis formed before July 5)

· The earliest date on record by which 2 category 4 hurricanes occurred (Dennis

formed July 4-7; Emily formed July 10-16))

· The most destructive hurricane in U.S. history (Katrina)

· Almost half the season yet to come

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

September 16, 2005

The number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes worldwide has nearly doubled over the past 35 years, even though the total number of hurricanes has dropped since the 1990s, according to a study by researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR).

[ChiangMaiMike]

Here is the current weather for Vientiane, which east and a bit south of Chiang Mai so I guess there is something coming our way...

Time EDT (UTC)

Latest 1 AM (5) Sep 27 wind SSW 2mph rain

Midnight (4) Sep 27 light rain

11 PM (3) Sep 26 wind W 2mph mist

10 PM (2) Sep 26 wind W 2mph mist

Current weather in Chiang Mai:

Clouds: Few 2200 ft / 670 m

Scattered Clouds 3500 ft / 1066 m

Mostly Cloudy 30000 ft / 9144 m

(Above Ground Level)

[Gonzo the Face]

Storm preparations

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) yesterday prepared short-term measures to tackle traffic jams resulting from heavy rain, as meteorologists warned Typhoon Damrey would hit Thailand today.

The typhoon, centred late yesterday near the coast of northern Vietnam, had earlier been downgraded to a tropical storm.

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin said about 200 municipality police officers would be sent to help alleviate traffic jams at 10 city intersections well known for congestion.

Some 300 disaster prevention and mitigation officials will also be on hand to help with broken down cars, while local radio stations will refer complaints to authorities so timely help can be delivered, he said.

Apirak said the BMA’s traffic and transportation department would soon publish maps of short-cuts in traffic-crisis areas. The maps will be available next month and will be distributed to city motorists to help them avoid traffic jams, he said.

As a longer-term solution, the city plans to promote public transportation and the use of 11 bicycle lanes which will be complete in November, Apirak said.

The Meteorological Department warned that although Typhoon Damrey had lost intensity and had been downgraded to a tropical storm, it was still expected to bring heavy rain to the Northeast today.

--The Nation 2005-09-27

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The funniest part of the joke

Thais reading a map........ ever show a map to a tuk tuk driver ????

[Gonzo the Face]

Sorry... I just had to comment/laugh at this article...

Apirak said the BMA’s traffic and transportation department would soon publish maps of short-cuts in traffic-crisis areas. The maps will be available next month and will be distributed to city motorists to help them avoid traffic jams, he said.

What use will short-cut maps be next month after the monsoon season is just about finished?

As a longer-term solution, the city plans to promote public transportation and the use of 11 bicycle lanes which will be complete in November, Apirak said.

Can you just imagine the Thais trundling their bicycles through torrential monsoonal rains through Bangkok's flooded city streets?

You've got to be joking...

:D

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry posted reply to wrong op

The funniest part of the joke

Thais reading a map........ ever show a map to a tuk tuk driver ????

[ChiangMaiMike]

And now just to brighten your day, a second typhoon (LangWang) with wind speeds to 140 knots has formed and is moving along a similar path to Typhoon Damray.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Don't know where you are getting your information... or misinformation...

But LangWang formed at 19N as opposed to Damrey at 17N and is moving 290 degress true... better chance of affecting Japan than Thailand imho... although things could change, it's forecast to be a bit south of Shanghai on the 2nd of October.

[wpbr]

what is a 'depression'?  like, why does it get a name?

what is a typhoon? not the same as hurricane?

i always thought cyclones were tornadoes?

clarify, anyone?

and what are the thai/issan names for these different things?

as opposed to just: storm?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The only difference between: Hurricane / Typhoon / Cyclone are the location of the world you are in.

Hurricane – Americas

Typhoon – SE Asia

Cyclone – Australasia

Hope this clarifies

Paul

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Err.... not quite Paul. But better than the BBC which equated Australian Willy Willys to the above yesterday.

Unlike bathtubs, the hemisphere really does make a difference. Northern hemisphere hurricanes and Typhoons rotate anticlockwise, whilst Southern hemispheric cyclones rotate clockwise.

It makes a big difference when you're off to one side of the eye when it passes over. You get much worse weather, and tidal surges, when the cyclonic wind direction is onshore.

In N Australia, say Port Hedland, with a North facing coast, a cyclone crossing to the west produces severe onshore winds with associated sandblasting of paintwork - roadsigns, cars, windows etc - and a tidal surge. The last is particularly bad in spring tidal conditions .

If the eye passes directly overhead, wind conditions may be better. They start East to West, then West to East, and are never onshore. So you're partly protected by other buildings, trees etc.

[Scott]

It's Wednesday morning and I haven't seen a forecast. I expected it to be raining here in BKK, but it's not. What is happening with the storm and will BKK be getting rain and wind from it, or just rising river waters.

Any information will be appreciated.

[taxexile]

midnight last night.

[george]

Damrey now a depression, but floods still predicted in Northeast and North

BANGKOK: -- Heavy rain hit many provinces in Thailand's Northeast causing floods in low-lying areas, while the northern province of Chiang Mai is expecting more rain from the depression Damrey.

The Meteorological Department on Tuesday reclassified 'Damrey', downgrading it to a depression, as it is moving into Thailand, from Vietnam and Laos, on Wednesday.

Thurdershowers are forecast nationwide.

The flood situation in the northeastern province of Yasothon is worrying, as the Chi River continues to rise.

Its water has spilled over its banks in Mahachanachai district. Houses in flood-prone areas have been submerged under one metre deep water.

The district is well-prepared to evacuate residents to higher ground in case of emergency.

Ricelands in Kalasin Province have been inundated for more than two weeks.

Disaster prevention and mitigation regional office authorities have warned local residents of mudslides in hilly areas and overflowing water in low-lying areas.

In Ubon Ratchathani Province, the Mekong River have overflowed its banks and flooded agricultural land plots and residential areas.

Flooded areas in the provinces are designated into zones to facilitate officials to provide assistance to affected villagers.

Flat bottom boats have been sent to the flood-prone areas along the three major rivers to evacuate local residents if any area is hit by flash floods.

In the northern province of Chiang Mai, irrigation officials demolished a dike in Muang district to drain water from Mae Ngad Dam, as a part of a measure to stabilize water in the Ping River and prevent further flooding when the depression Damrey moves into Thailand.

--TNA 2005-09-28

[Jai Dee]

BMA SAYS THE REMAINING FLOODED AREAS IN BKK SHOULD RETURN TO NORMAL SOON, PROVIDED THERE ARE NO MORE HEAVY RAINS

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is rapidly dissipating water from flooded areas in two of its districts. The administration is confident that all areas will be dried out by next week if no further heavy raining occurs.

Deputy Bangkok Governor SAMART RATCHAPHONSIT (สามารถ ราชพลสิทธิ์) said he was informed that there are now only two districts with flood problem, namely LADKRABANG (ลาดกระบัง) and NONGJOK (หนองจอก) Districts. Some roads in these two districts have water levels measuring up to 15-20 centimeters, while some fields were covered with as high as 40 centimeters of water. Mr. SAMART expects that within this week the aforementioned areas will return to normal, under the condition that no further heavy raining will occur under the influence of the DAMREY typhoon.

The Deputy Bangkok Governor also disclosed that he has hastened the Department of Drainage and Sewerage in dispatching officials to conduct maintenance and improve the depths of canals and water channels to facilitate better flow.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันพุธที่ 28 กันยายน 2548

[ChiangMaiMike]

Early this morning what was left of Typhoon Damrey struck Chiang Mai with all it's fury.

We received about 3/4" of rain over a 6-7 hour period stating about 1:30 a.m..

Checked river this morning at about 7:30 at the Superhighway north of the city and it was much lower than yesterday, and way below flood level. Am guessing that yesterday they did a preemptive release of dams, etc. expecting much more rainfall... Although it's still not clear to me why they thought there was going to be a lot of rain... but I'm just an amature wannabe meterologist.

[george]

Update:

Damrey delivers floods and dislocation to northern provinces

CHIANG RAI: -- Depression Damrey was centered over Thailand's northern Nan Province Wednesday morning at around 10 a.m, carrying heavy rain and traveling in a westerly direction at a speed of 60km/hr.

Warning the North of flash floods, the Meteorological Department said Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son Provinces are especially at risk due to heavy rain.

The storm is expected to pass into Myanmar Wednesday afternoon.

The weather department also warned fishermen to be careful if they go out to sea Wednesday and Thursday.

The depression has caused incessant rainfaill in northern Chiang Rai.

Heavy downpours fell trees, blocking roads in Chiangrung district.

Local residents in low-lying areas near rivers and hills should beware of both flash floods and possible landslides, the weather center warned.

The Department of Provincial Administration is surveying damages in the provinces.

Local officials Wednesday morning moved rock and earth that blocked a road in Chiag Rai's Viengpapao district overnight.

The disaster prevention and mitigation regional office has prepared 4,000 sets of relief supplies for the area affected by floods and called for reinforcements to aid rescue workers already on the scene, and for additional equipment from its regional office.

In nearby Chiang Mai, the depression caused a relentless overnight rain, but the water level in the Ping River is so high that it can yet pose a threat.

Local authorities have built sandbag embankments along the Ping River

to prevent floods in the heart of commercial and residential areas and installed 80 pumps in Muang district and other flood prone areas.

--TNA 2005-09-28

[ChiangMaiMike]

Update:

Damrey delivers floods and dislocation to northern provinces

CHIANG RAI: -- Depression Damrey was centered over Thailand's northern Nan Province Wednesday morning at around 10 a.m, carrying heavy rain and traveling in a westerly direction at a speed of 60km/hr.

Warning the North of flash floods, the Meteorological Department said Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son Provinces are especially at risk due to heavy rain.

The storm is expected to pass into Myanmar Wednesday afternoon.

The weather department also warned fishermen to be careful if they go out to sea Wednesday and Thursday.

The depression has caused incessant rainfaill in northern Chiang Rai.

Heavy downpours fell trees, blocking roads in Chiangrung district.

Local residents in low-lying areas near rivers and hills should beware of both flash floods and possible landslides, the weather center warned.

The Department of Provincial Administration is surveying damages in the provinces.

Local officials Wednesday morning moved rock and earth that blocked a road in Chiag Rai's Viengpapao district overnight.

The disaster prevention and mitigation regional office has prepared 4,000 sets of relief supplies for the area affected by floods and called for reinforcements to aid rescue workers already on the scene, and for additional equipment from its regional office.

In nearby Chiang Mai, the depression caused a relentless overnight rain, but the water level in the Ping River is so high that it can yet pose a threat.

Local authorities have built sandbag embankments along the Ping River

to prevent floods in the heart of commercial and residential areas and installed 80 pumps in Muang district and other flood prone areas.

--TNA 2005-09-28

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, I sure wish coming by facts was easier in LOS.

Fact= In C.M. it starting raining about 1 a.m this morning and it rained 'relentlessly' until about 7 a.m when it decreased to occasional light showers. Total rainfall for last 24 hours was 12mm (3/4"). Ping River was quite low this morning about 7:30 or 8:00. (I don't think it has changed since, but don't know that)

If Damrey is traveling at the above mentioned speed it will be in Burma by 3:20p.m. and since it is now 2p.m. I guess we should be in the midst of the "heavy rain" but there hasn't been any in the last hour... and I doubt there will be.

I'll check the Ping River in about a half an hour and report back if it has risen any since this morning...

[ChiangMaiMike]

Ping River basically the same as this morning... far from what I would call 'high'.

Forecast was so far off from reality that I wonder what's going on?

Someone land some juicy contracts to install the pumps and shore up the banks based on someones 'honest overestimate' of possible flooding?

Or perhaps they don't have any better information or forecasting abilities than I do... who knows... and maybe I'm the only one who has figured out how to improvise a rain gauge... I don't recall ever seeing any mention of rain amounts...

Now winds calm, light drizzle in Chiang Mai and looks like there are some light showers lurking around.

Anyone know how much rain fell in Chiang Rai or Nan?

[george]

The death toll from Typhoon Damrey continues to rise as remnants of the storm cause widespread flooding in parts of Thailand.

Following the deaths of at least 21 people in Vietnam and China, three people have now died and another five are missing in northern Thailand.

At least 18,000 people have suffered damages in six Thai provinces including Prae, Mae Hong Son, Phayao and Chiang Rai.

Vietnam, meanwhile, has issued flood warnings after the storm killed at least five people and shattered sea dykes protecting an important rice-growing area.

More than 300,000 people were evacuated from the Vietnamese coastline ahead of the typhoon, which made landfall in northeastern Thanh Hoa province.

Sections of protective dykes have crumpled in four provinces, power and telecoms supplies have been hit and thousands of homes swamped.

On Monday, Damrey brought raging winds and rains to the southern Chinese island of Hainan, killing 16 people and causing an island-wide blackout.

Winds of up to 180 kilometres per hour ploughed across the province, forcing the evacuation of more than 400,000 people.

Hainan Vice Governor Wu Changyuan says 20,000 homes have been flattened and 704,000 hectares of crop land ruined.

The Civil Affairs Ministry says the storm has caused nearly $US1.05 billion in damages.

-- ABC Asia Pacific TV / Radio Australia 2005-09-28

[george]

Dam collapses, 500 houses under water

CHIANG MAI: -- An earthern dam in this northern city collapsed following torrential rains, unleashing some two million cubic metres of water inundating seven villages.

Prasert Yindee, chief of Mae Taeng district, said the dam in Ban Palao village in Mae Taeng Tambon Mae Horphra collapsed at about 8am.

He said the dam had been put under too much pressure after the Damrey tropical depression caused heavy rains in the North.

The district chief said the earth embankment of the dam, which was about 30 metres high, collapsed to a height of only 20 metres.

About 500 houses in seven villages in two tambons and about 2,000 rai of farmland were under water, he said.

--The Nation 2005-09-28

[george]

Three killed, five missing in Damrey's aftermath

CHIANG MAI: -- At least three people have been killed and five are missing after Tropical Depression Damrey crossed the North and caused widespread flooding, the Interior Ministry announced today.

The ministry said two deaths were reported in Chiang Mai and another in Lampang.

It said five people in Lampang went mission following flash floods.

The ministry said the depression storm, which was heading from Chiang Rai to Burma, had unleashed heavy rains in six northern provinces, causing widespread flooding.

A total of 18,225 people from 6,348 families in 11 districts in Lampang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Mae Hong Song and Phrae were affected by the storm.

The ministry said the floods damaged 12 bridges and ten roads.

--The Nation 2005-09-28

[bggg]

Just heard they are going toopen the largest dam in the lampang area in a about 1 hour. Expected to cause great flooding in Lampang. A friend said it was just anounced on Thai TV

[ChiangMaiMike]

Despite extensive sandbagging Ping River has flooded Faham Road from near Gymkhana past Rim Ping Super Store... Not sure how things are north of there...

had another 3/4" of rain last night... dry so far today.

People at Gymkhana saying that the sand bagging diverted more water to the south of town, and that now the water would be coming back north...

River north of town at the Superhighway was nearly flooding the Faham Underpass... no idea when crest will come or if it has.

Anyone have reports from near Narawat Bridge?

later,

m

[george]

Storm leaves parts of Lampang submerged

Two killed by Damrey floods, five feared dead

LAMPANG: -- Heavy flooding caused by the remnants of Typhoon Damrey, which has weakened to a tropical depression, has put three districts of Lampang province under water, killed two people and left at least five people missing, feared dead.

Widespread rain also continued to ravage other northern and northeastern provinces.

Most villages in Chae Hom, Muang Pan and Mae Moh districts of Lampang were badly hit by flash floods.

Two villagers were killed and five others went missing after they were swept away by the floods. One of the victims was identified as Noi, 62, of Muang Pan district. He was unable to get away when his village was inundated.

About 10 houses, 30 motorcycles and one car were also swept away.

Authorities said Chae Hom was the worst-hit district, with large tracts of farmland there damaged. Several roads were also impassable.

In Chae Hom, floods swept away two coffins containing the bodies of Praphat Phayakkhabutr and his wife Niyada, the parents of Thai Rak Thai MP for Lampang Vasit Phayakkhabutr.

He has asked his workers to locate the coffins and offered a cash reward of 100,000 baht for the finder of each.

Lampang Governor Amornthat Niratsayakul was surveying the damage caused to the three districts.

The depression also brought rain and flash floods to other northern provinces.

In Chiang Rai, many districts were flooded. Several houses and temples in tambon Thungkor of Chiang Wang Rung sub-district were damaged.

In Mae Suai, run-off from Huay Mae Prik and Huay Lo reservoirs flooded more than 500 houses in Ban Huarin village.

Mudslides engulfed a section of the Chiang Rai-Chiang Mai road in Wiang Pa Pao district last night. Officials took over three hours to clear the road.

In Chiang Mai, a large reservoir cracked, causing water to inundate houses and farmland in seven villages in Mae Taeng district.

Huay Pachum reservoir, with a holding capacity of two million cubic metres, developed cracks around 6am yesterday under the pressure of the heavy rain.

Around 70-80% of the water from the reservoir flowed to the Mae Ngad dam, Mae Taeng river and into the upper parts of the Ping river, where water levels were already high.

Authorities feared water overflowing from the Mae Ngad dam and the two other rivers could inundate Chiang Mai town within nine hours.

The Mae Hong Son provincial meteorological station warned residents to brace themselves for possible mudslides and heavy floods. Areas at risk included Pai and Pang Ma Pha districts.

In Nan, floods hit several areas in the province. Some villages also experienced power blackouts.

In Phrae, heavy rain triggered mudslides and raging floods. Residents in tambon Tapamok of Long district fled when flash floods hit their community around 5am.

Flash floods caused Huay Khamin reservoir in tambon Pamaed in Muang district to overflow, with water inundating Tonha and Maneewan villages.

In Ubon Ratchathani, the tropical storm caused widespread rain across the province. The water levels of the Moon, Chi and Mekong rivers rose steadily.

Many people in flood-hit areas were also threatened by disease. So far, 788 people have sought treatment for haemorrhagic fever, dengue fever and digestive disorders.

--Bangkok Post 2005-09-29

[Jai Dee]

AT LEAST NINE THAIS HAVE DIED FROM TROPICAL DEPRESSION DAMREY

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has notified that Tropical Depression DAMREY (ดอมเรย) has caused at least nine deaths in Thailand. Six of them are from LAMPANG Province, while the remaining three are from CHIANG MAI Province. More than 40 routes and 24 bridges have been obstructed, while one reservoir has been fractured. 18 households have been totally obliterated, while 78 residences have been partly damaged. Three schools in the north have been affected by the tropical depression.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has issued a warning to CHIANG MAI and LAMPANG that they are still prone to flood occurrences, as the water levels are rising continuously. The floodwater has been increased due to the overflowing water from the north, especially from the KEWLOM (กิ่วลม) Dam. The department has advised concerned residents to evacuate themselves and their belongings to higher areas.

The Meteorological Department has also forecasted that many regions of Thailand will encounter rainfall due to strong winds in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันศุกร์ที่ 30 กันยายน 2548

[jaloochapurr]

Well what can be said.

Today this morning coming back from chiang rai and when entered the city no way to get into town.

Tried to go on superhighway and had to push motorbike while in waist deep water.

Really was strange to see so much water and people said never was like this before. I saw places where it was shoulder deep.

Really they could of open the dam before and not wait til it got full.

The river was really high, wonder where you would end up with a kayak.

[Foggy Bottom]

Anyone else noticed just how widely the damged homes / affected numbers vary in the news reports on this page?

I reckon they're all guessing and that none of them have a clue.

Shopkeeper in my soi told me today that Chiangmai Night Bazaar is to be renamed "The Floating Market of the North"

Almost wet myself laughing as he's normally so straight and serious.