People living in 23 northern and northeastern provinces of Thailand have been warned to brace for heavy and very heavy rain today and tomorrow, due to the influence of tropical storm Koguma, which is expected to make landfall in northern Vietnam today.
The Thai Meteorological Department said today (Sunday) that the tropical storm was located in the Bay of Tonkin at about 4am this morning and has been moving westward at a speed of 15kph, with wind speeds of 65kph at its centre.
It added that the storm is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rain to Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Uttradit, Phitsanuloke, Loei, Nong Khai, Bung Karn, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Sakhon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Kalasin, Muk Dahan, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, Roi-et, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani.
The National Centre for Hydro Meteorological Forecasting of Vietnam said today that tropical storm Koguma made landfall at 3am and had weakened into a tropical depression by 7am over north central province of Thanh Hua, with wind speeds of 60kph.
The centre has recorded 120-280mm of rain in the past 24 hours in areas from Thanh Hoa to the central province of Quang Binh.
The storm is a blessing for Thai farmers, who have been desperately waiting for the arrival of rain following several weeks of a dryer that usual rainy season.
