Low-pressure ridge inundates Hua Hin City
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The resort town of Hua Hin is struggling with bad floods due to a low-pressure ridge, as relevant authorities keep a close eye on Typhoon Haiyan.
Though the typhoon will not be hitting Thailand directly, it is expected to send heavy rain to the North and the Northeast over the next four days.
As of press time, the low-pressure ridge over the country’s East and the Gulf of Thailand’s upper part has wreaked havoc in Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
Floodwaters between 30 and 70-centimetres deep submerged Phetkasem Road after the province was hit by 140-160 millimetres of rain from Thursday night to yesterday morning.
The waves hitting the province’s coast were also up to 4 metres high as of press time, damaging several beachside restaurants. Many trees along the Hua Hin-Pran Buri Road were uprooted and several road accidents also occurred due to the weather conditions.
Hua Hin City mayor Nopporn Wuttikul said the huge waves sank 10 fishing trawlers. Meanwhile, Tambon Beung Nakhon Administrative Organisation’s chairman Serm Termfong said a pickup ended up plunging into a dyke in the area due to a broken bridge.
“More than 5,000 locals are suffering,” he reiterated.
Royol Chitradon, who heads a subcommittee under the Water and Flood Management Commission, said relevant authorities had met yesterday to discuss the preparations required for Typhoon Haiyan.
“Though it’s not heading to Thailand, its presence in Vietnam can cause heavy downpours in the North and Northeast regions,” he said, adding that the impact will not be as severe as in the Philippines.
“I don’t think any evacuation will be needed,” Royol said.
