The National Water Resource Office today issued a warning to people in 31 provinces to brace for heavy and very heavy rains in the coming week as it scheduled an urgent meeting with relevant agencies to handle the situation.

The 31 provinces to face torrential rains are Chiang Mai, Phayao, Nan, Uttradit, Phitsanuloke, Phetchabun, Mae Hong Son and Tak in the North; Loei, Chaiyaphum, Nong Khai, Bung Karn, Nakhon Phanom, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Kalasin, Roi-et, Yasothorn, Muk Dahan, Amnart Charoen and Ubon Ratchathani in the Northeast; Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi and Prachuab Khiri Khan in the western region; Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaew, Chanthaburi and Trat in the East and Ranong in the southern region.

Mr Samroeng Saengphuwong, deputy secretary-general of the National Water Resource Office, said Wednesday that water situations in five major dams still warrant close monitoring as water level is beyond 80 percent of their capacities.

The five major dams are Kaeng Krachan in Phetchaburi, Pran Buri in Prachuab Khiri Khan, Vajiralongkorn in Kanchanaburi, Nam Oon in Sakhon Nakhon and Khun Dan Prakan Chon in Nakhon Nayok.