Depression Gaemi Loses Fury: Thailand

[webfact]

GAEMI

Depression Gaemi Loses Fury

Pimnara Pradubwit,

Jutarat Thipnumpa

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Tropical storm Gaemi - the source of much anxiety across the country, thanks to severe warnings by government officials - had weakened to a tropical depression by the time it hit Thailand late on Sunday.

It was just a low-pressure cell yesterday and its impact likely end soon, weather officials said.

The Meteorological Department said Gaemi would cause downpours in some provinces for just the next couple of days. The low-pressure cell was expected to reach Myanmar by today.

The storm spread heavy rain across the North, Central and Northeast regions.

Some Bangkok roads were temporarily flooded, as they usually are in heavy downpours, and there were the routine traffic jams during the morning rush hour.

"We swiftly took action by removing malfunctioning vehicles and quickly draining the rainwater. So, there's no traffic crisis," Traffic Police Division commander Maj General Piya Tawichai said.

Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said the total rainfall was about 40 to 60 millimetres - an amount the capital's drainage system could easily cope with.

Science Minister Plodprasob Surassawadee, who had earlier warned of a severe storm and advised everyone to stay at home, said the flood threat would be virtually gone by the end of this month.

"The overall situation will return to normal within seven days," said Plodprasob, who is chairman of the Water and Flood Management Commission (WFMC).

After this month, only the South would face risks of flash floods.

Royol Jitdon, an expert on the WFMC, said officials in charge of water drainage would closely watch the situation till October 31.

Royol said high-pressure ridges from China were now spreading to Thailand's North and Northeast.

"So, the upper part of Thailand is stepping into wintertime. Rainfall will reduce," Royol said. Another tropical storm named Prapiroon was brewing near Guam and headed toward Taiwan yesterday. While it was named after the Thai rain god, the storm would not affect Thailand at all, he said.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Warning Centre (NDWC) repeated that there would not be a storm surge on coastal areas on the Gulf of Thailand, regardless of whether Gaemi was "active" or had turned into a smaller depression.

NDWD director Samith Thammasaroj said an earlier warning for fishing trawlers not to head offshore yesterday and today because of possible high seas caused by Gaemi should be discounted. "The warning about a possible surge at the height reaching five to 10 metres caused worry and panic, and affecting fishing trawlers, as there is an order against them going offshore on both days," he said.

Storm surges were possible under several key factors. These included a storm originating or expanding over sea, he said, like the ones that developed into Typhoon Gay in 1989, which killed 800 in the Thai south, or tropical storm Harriet in 1962, which hit Nakhon Si Thammarat and claimed 1,700 lives.

City workers and flood relief officials were still stationed at 10 areas of risk of flash flooding in Bangkok despite reports of Gaemi weakening, Sanya Cheewanimit, head of Bangkok's Department of Drainage and Sewerage. An average rain volume of 20 mm per hour was measured in Bangkok yesterday, with the highest in Khlong Sam Wa at 34 mm per hour. The highest in the previous 24 hours, on Saturday, was 64.5 mm per hour in Bang Khun Thien. He said light rain was still expected till this morning.

-- The Nation 2012-10-09

[phosphorescent]

Much ado about nothing.

[looping]

Must have been pacified by govt policies, they should take credit for this.

[Halion]

They are taking credit." Has weakend thanks to Government warnings". So predictable.

[tinfoilhat]

i am so tired of the flood hysteria

[Thai at Heart]

nother tropical storm named Prapiroon was brewing near Guam and headed toward Taiwan yesterday. While it was named after the Thai rain god, the storm would not affect Thailand at all, he said.

I was waiting for Plod to claim he had invented a rain pushing machine.

[maapaa]

"Tropical storm Gaemi - the source of much anxiety across the country, thanks to severe warnings by government officials - had weakened to a tropical depression by the time it hit Thailand late on Sunday."

I had to read this a few times - then I got it right: Thanks to severe warnings by government officials there has been much anxiety across the country.

It wasn't said in any way that the government warnings weakened the storm or rain.

Read carefully, try to understand. If you are sure that you've got it right - post your comment.

Edited October 9, 2012 by metisdead
: Bold font removed.

[ratcatcher]

Much ado about nothing.

or "The Tempest" (in a teapot)

or maybe "All's Wet that ends Wet"

but this one perfectly sums up the government's handling "The Comedy of Errors"

(with apologies to the Bard of Avon)

[EarthAlien]

"The overall situation will return to normal within seven days," said Plodprasob, who is chairman of the Water and Flood Management Commission (WFMC).

Thank heavens we have the honorable and talented Plodprasob on the job,... I just knew he could be relied upon to fix this impending massive problem,- well done!

[GentlemanJim]

"Tropical storm Gaemi - the source of much anxiety across the country, thanks to severe warnings by government officials - had weakened to a tropical depression by the time it hit Thailand late on Sunday."

I had to read this a few times - then I got it right: Thanks to severe warnings by government officials there has been much anxiety across the country.

It wasn't said in any way that the government warnings weakened the storm or rain.

Read carefully, try to understand. If you are sure that you've got it right - post your comment.

But people post because they are sure they have got it right even when they haven't. Isn't your post a little condescending?

[Gweiloman]

Typical of bitter posters once again criticising for the sake of it. If the Govt had not issued warnings and if Gaemi had retained it's strength, then these posters would be out in force as usual. It is the Govt's duty to raise alerts so that people can be forewarned. I don't hear these posters criticising their respective Govt's when their embassies raises alerts on terrorism etc etc.

[Halion]

MAAPAA,

I stand corrected, you are righ, your interpretation is correct he was in fact referring to the copious warnings and not the storm disposition. Will have a second cup of Java prior to future postings.

[MikeThaison]

That storm was much to do about nothing, but the govt did release statements 2 days before saying they thought the storm would move south a bit and not directly hit BKK. I think you can never be too careful in issuing warning about storms and sea conditions. I'll take a warning any day over no action or information. Glad to have my feet on a dry ground today. The bitter TV posters can go suck on a lemon

[diamondmax]

Me and the family are going from Kora6t to Rayong on Sunday 13th. October for 1 week.

Are we going to get some sun or a week or rain and flooding.

My daughter wants to go swimming in the sea. She's 3 years old.

Can I have some understandable posts on this matter for a change, please......

[whybother]

Me and the family are going from Kora6t to Rayong on Sunday 13th. October for 1 week.

Are we going to get some sun or a week or rain and flooding.

My daughter wants to go swimming in the sea. She's 3 years old.

Can I have some understandable posts on this matter for a change, please......

Check the weather websites. That's the most likely place to get understandable information on this matter.