Abundant rainfall, heavy to very heavy in some areas, is forecast over the next 2-3 days for most of the country due to tropical storm ‘WIPHA’.
Thailand’s Meteorological Department reported at 4am today that Wipha was centred about 155kms east of Hanoi over the upper Gulf of Tonkin and is moving west-southwest slowly with maximum sustained wind speeds of about 70 km/hr.
It is forecast to make landfall over Hanoi today and downgrade to a tropical depression and low pressure cell respectively over Laos and northern Thailand in the next 2 days.
This will bring isolated heavy rain today to the following areas: Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phayao, Phrae, Tak and Kamphaeng Phet in the North; Loei, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, and Nakhon Phanom in the Northeast; Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi and Uthai Thani in the central region; Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat.
On Sunday and Monday, isolated heavy to very heavy rain is forecast for Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Lamphun Lampang and Phayao provinces for the North; Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi and Uthai Thani; Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat provinces for the East and Ranong, Phang-nga and Phuket in the South.
People are advised to be prepared for severe weather conditions, which may cause flash floods and landslides and to stay tuned for weather updates.
The Weatherman forecasts heavy going in the Andaman Sea with waves of up to 4 metres and up to 3 metres in the Gulf in stormy areas until Tuesday. All vessels are advised to proceed with caution and avoid storms. Small vessels should remain ashore.
