Monsoon brings heavier rain and flash-flood risk to parts of Thailand
Rainfall is set to increase in northern, northeastern and eastern Thailand, while small boats in the upper Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand should remain ashore through Sunday.
- A monsoon trough is causing heavy to very heavy rainfall across the North, Northeast, East, Central, and Southern regions of Thailand.
- Authorities have warned of a significant risk of flash floods and rapid run-off, particularly in foothill and low-lying areas.
- The weather system is also generating strong winds and high waves (2-3 meters) in the upper Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand, prompting warnings for small boats to remain ashore.
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning at 5pm on August 7, covering strong winds and waves in the upper Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand, together with heavy to very heavy rain in Thailand through August 9.
The TMD warned that rainfall would increase in the North, Northeast and East, with heavy to very heavy rain in some areas.
Heavy rain was also forecast for parts of the Central region, including Bangkok and surrounding provinces, and the South.
The conditions are being driven by a monsoon trough lying across the upper North and upper Northeast, combined with a fairly strong southwest monsoon prevailing over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand.
People were advised to be alert to the dangers of heavy to very heavy rain and accumulated rainfall, which could cause flash floods and rapid run-off, particularly in foothill areas near waterways and in low-lying areas.
Winds and waves in the upper Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand are fairly strong, with wave heights of 2–3 metres and more than 3 metres in areas with thunderstorms.
Mariners in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand should navigate with caution and avoid sailing in areas with thunderstorms.
Small boats in the upper Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand should remain ashore during this period.
To ensure safety and reduce possible impacts, people were urged to plan their daily routines and travel carefully during the period.
They should monitor TMD announcements; information is available on the department’s website or by calling 0-2399-4012-13 or 1182, 24 hours a day.
