Tropical cyclone Nesat is weakening to a tropical storm, as it moves westward across southern Hainan today (Wednesday) and is forecast to hit Vietnam by Friday, the Thai Meteorological Department reported today.

At about 4am this morning, Nesat was located at about 160km southeast of China’s Hainan Island, with wind speeds of 110kph at its centre. It is moving southwest at 15kph, towards southern Hainan.

The moderate cold front from China, which is covering northern Thailand and the South China Sea, will weaken the storm, said the Weatherman, adding these conditions will bring light rain to the north of Thailand.

The eastern coast of southern Thailand is, however, forecast to face heavy to very heavy rainfall from today until Saturday, due to the intensification of the monsoon trough and the south-westerly wind over the Andaman Sea and southern Thailand. Flash floods at mountain bases are predicted.

In the southernmost province of Satun, three days of continuous rainfall have triggered runoffs from the Banthad mountain range, which have flooded Manang, Thung Wa, La-ngu and Khuan Kalong districts. Several roads in the four districts have been damaged, making them impassable to vehicles.

Provincial officials say that flood water has receded in most areas, leaving a trail of damage to roads, farmland and the belongings of many people who were unable to move them to higher ground.