Most regions of Thailand are expected to see increased rainfall from Friday to Sunday as Typhoon Kalmaegi makes landfall in Vietnam, according to the Office of National Water Resources and the Meteorological Department.
The heaviest rain is forecast in the lower northeastern, lower central, eastern, and southern regions, which are likely to experience scattered to widespread showers and isolated heavy downpours during the weekend.
The typhoon, which has now entered the South China Sea, is expected to weaken into a tropical storm, then a depression, and finally a low-pressure cell once it moves over Vietnam.
Despite the weakening trend, the system’s moisture and associated southwest monsoon are likely to enhance rainfall over much of Thailand.
Danucha Pichayanan, secretary-general of the ONWR, said that as of November 1, all 310 reservoirs in Thailand contained a combined 70.656 billion cubic metres of water, equivalent to about 88% of their total capacity.
In anticipation of the incoming rainfall, the national water management committee has decided to increase the discharge from the Bhumibol Dam in Tak province to 20 million cubic metres per day on Wednesday, 25 million on Thursday, and 30 million per day from Friday onward.
The discharge rate from the Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit province will remain at 10 million cubic metres per day, while the Chao Phraya Dam in Chainat province is currently releasing 2,300 cubic metres per second (m³/s), with adjustments to be made based on real-time water levels in the Chao Phraya River.
Authorities are urging residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas, particularly in the eastern and southern provinces, to stay alert for possible flash floods and runoff during the weekend.
