Thailand’s top meteorological expert, Dr. Seri Suparatit, has warned that Typhoon Kalmaegi, currently in the South China Sea, is intensifying into a severe typhoon as it nears central Vietnam.
Making his forecast today, while visiting Uttaradit province, he said that he feels the unusually hot weather, despite Thailand having already and officially entered the cold season, noting that this is a sign that there is no high pressure or a cold front to mitigate the force of the typhoon.
A severe typhoon is a powerful tropical cyclone with maximum sustained wind speeds of between 150 and 185kph. This places it in a category above a standard typhoon but below a ‘super typhoon’.
Dr. Seri, an expert on the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), warned that several northeastern provinces, such as Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Buri Ram, Amnart Charoen, Yasothon, Roi-et, Maha Sarakham, Muk Da Han and Kalasin, northern provinces such as Nan, Phrae and Uttaradit and some central provinces may be hit by heavy rainfall, expected to be over 300mm between Friday and Saturday.
This could cause widespread flooding or river overflows in Ubon Ratchathani and Ayutthaya, he said, as he noted that several major reservoirs are already at their full capacities and are unable to accommodate additional water.
The Meteorological Department warned today of heavy to very heavy rain in Thailand this Friday and Sunday as a result of Typhoon Kalmaegi.
The department reported that the typhoon was located in the South China Sea at 4am this morning, moving west-northwest at a speed of 15kph, with the wind speed at its centre recorded at 130kph. The typhoon is forecast to make landfall in central Vietnam either tomorrow or Friday, after which it will weaken steadily to become tropical storm, a depression and then a low pressure cell.
The department is advising people living in northern, northeastern, eastern and central provinces to brace for heavy to very heavy rain and the possibility of flash floods or river overflows from Friday through Sunday.
Mariners are warned of high waves and strong winds in the Andaman Sea and are advised to remain ashore on Thursday and Friday.
