Increasing rain is forecast for most parts of Thailand, with a risk of flooding in 28 provinces, into next week.
Sugunyanee Yavinchan, director-general of the Meteorological Department, said on Tuesday that an active low-pressure cell over the coast of southern Vietnam would pass through the monsoon trough from the East to the lower Central Plains, the upper South and the Andaman Sea from Wednesday to Sunday.
‘Variable weather with more rain and isolated heavy rain is forecast in the Northeast, East, the Central region including Bangkok and vicinity, the North and upper South regions,’ she said.
The Office of National Water Resources listed 28 provinces as areas at risk of flooding from Tuesday through to Monday next week.
Among them were Bangkok and Samut Prakan, especially in flood-prone zones with drainage problems.
Elsewhere, residents should be on alert for possible flash floods, runoff and landslides in:
– The northern provinces of Chiang Mai, Kamphaeng Phet, Tak, Nakhon Sawan, Phetchabun and Uthai Thani
– The northeastern provinces of Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram and Surin
– The eastern provinces of Chachoengsao, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat
– The western provinces of Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan
– The southern provinces of Ranong, Chumphon, Phuket, Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat
The Office of National Water Resources warned that reservoirs in Surat Thani were full and they could overflow.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported on Tuesday morning that flooding persisted in 15 provinces, nine of them on the Central Plains. Floodwater levels were declining in 12 provinces and remained stable in Chai Nat, Nakhon Pathom and Udon Thani provinces.