People living in Thailand’s 11 southern provinces are advised to brace for heavy to very heavy rainfall from today until next Wednesday, which may lead to flash flooding and river overflows, due to the intensifying north-easterly monsoon covering the Gulf of Thailand and the south.

According to the Meteorological Department’s weather forecast, heavy rain is forecast for Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Trang and Satun from until Wednesday and from Monday to Friday next week in Surat Thani, Phuket and Krabi.

Mountain bases and low-lying areas are vulnerable to flash flooding and waterway overflows, said the department.

Strong winds and rough seas are forecast in the Gulf of Thailand, with waves up to two metres high in the northern part of the Gulf, and between 2 and 3 metres high further south, with over 3-metre waves in stormy areas.

Small vessels are advised to remain ashore, while larger vessels should exercise extreme caution and avoid stormy areas.