Season of storm and flood forecast for June-November

BANGKOK: -- People across the country are advised to closely follow weather forecasts by the Meteorological Department, as throughout this year's rainy season devastating tropical storms might occur.

Heavy downpours and rainstorms are forecast throughout the country from June through November, with torrential flows of rainwater expected in Thailand's northern valleys, inundating urban areas, and storm waves rising 2-5 metres high in the Gulf of Thailand, department officials said.

Several tropical storms are anticipated to form in South China Sea, near the Philippines, and move toward the shores of Vietnam before hitting Thailand's upper regions between August and September.

Rainstorms are expected to affect lower Thailand in October and November.

--TNA 2006-06-21

Here is a link to the English version of the Thai Meteorological Department's website.

Weather reports, forecasts, warnings etc., as well as radar and satellite images can be found there.

Northerners warned more floods on way

Satellite photos confirm serious threat of landslides

The weather bureau yesterday warned residents in several northern provinces to prepare for heavy downpours and the possibility of flash floods and landslides.

Uttaradit, Lampang, Sukhothai and Tak were identified as high-risk areas.

In Uttaradit's Laplae district, landslides have already occurred in several areas, including Naree village, where 167 people were evacuated. Sensing trouble coming, Laplae district chief Thongchai Teyathiti ordered an evacuation on Monday.

"I have allowed only men who are good at riding motorcycles to stay overnight in the village. Their presence will help prevent thefts. But they have standing orders to get out if something goes wrong," Thongchai said.

Heeding the headman's advice, 36-year-old Sayan Timyam said he and his neighbours hit the road, leaving the village behind them yesterday as soon as they heard the noise of rushing water.

Another villager, Sompong Ounjaifan, 36, said local people were panicked and wanted to move somewhere else for good.

Roads to and from Naree are now virtually impassable, blocked by piles of earth and rocks from landslides.

Mineral Resources Department director-general Somsak Potisat said satellite photos showed dangerous conditions - rocks and mud piled high - in mountainous areas of Uttaradit, Sukhothai and Phrae.

"They are signs of danger - these piles could collapse on people living at the foot of the mountains when there are heavy downpours," he said. Provincial authorities had been advised and they were expected to contact people living in danger zones.

Uttaradit's disaster prevention and mitigation chief Nitipat Wiriyakul said Laplae and Tha Pla districts faced the greatest danger.

Meanwhile, the Water Resources Department said it had already installed an early-warning system in 210 villages across 30 provinces. Department director-general Siripong Hangsapruk said the system would sound alarms if rainwater-monitoring stations on hills detected a dangerous amount of rain.

"We plan to install early-warning systems in all 2,370 areas in the country considered at risk within the next three years," he said.

He said his department's early-warning system was hi-tech and would complement the system used by the Mineral Resources Department.

The Meteorological Department urged people to keep abreast of weather forecasts, as it expected a few large tropical storms to affect Thailand this rainy season.

"If these storms come close or actually pass through the country, they will bring heavy downpours and possible flash floods," it said.

Source: The Nation - 22 June 2006

This is certainly turning out to be an early and very rainy, rainy season. I had water within about 2 cm. from coming inside my house last Sunday (in Bangkok). Where I live it has never, never (knock on wood) flooded, so I was really surprised.

This is a year when it's wise for everyone to be more vigilant than usual.

In Chonburi, unlike previous years , we had rain throughout this summer. Last year was bad, 5 months without a drop.

Where I live it has never, never (knock on wood) flooded, so I was really surprised.

Didn't flood in '83?

TIT: