Typhoon Dolphin strengthens monsoon as rain persists in Thailand
Typhoon Dolphin is expected to make landfall in Zhejiang without entering Thailand, while four regions face heavy rain and small boats in affected waters should remain ashore.
- Typhoon Dolphin, while not directly entering Thailand, is indirectly strengthening the prevailing southwest monsoon over the country.
- The strengthened monsoon is causing persistent heavy rain in Thailand's North, Northeast, Central, and East regions.
- Authorities are warning residents of potential flash floods and runoff resulting from the heavy rainfall.
- The weather system is also creating strong winds and high waves in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, leading to warnings for mariners.
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued its latest forecast covering two new tropical cyclones in the western Pacific and the South China Sea.
They are Typhoon Dolphin and Tropical Storm Chan-hom.
Typhoon Dolphin was centred off eastern China, about 250 kilometres from the coast of Zhejiang province, and was moving westwards with a slight northerly component.
It was expected to make landfall on China’s eastern coast in Zhejiang during the evening on Sunday (August 9, 2026).
The storm was not expected to enter Thailand and was forecast to weaken gradually.
The typhoon’s indirect effects are strengthening the prevailing monsoon. Travellers planning to visit eastern China, Taiwan or islands in southern Japan were advised to check the weather and their flights before departure.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Chan-hom remains very far away and is not affecting Thailand, although it is expected to affect Japan and South Korea.
The TMD’s weather warning remains in effect through August 9.
The North, Northeast, Central and East continue to experience isolated heavy rain because a monsoon trough lies across the upper North and upper Laos, while a rather strong south-west monsoon prevails over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand.
People were advised to beware of 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 remain rather strong, with waves 2–3 metres high and exceeding 3 metres during thunderstorms.
Mariners were advised to navigate carefully and avoid areas affected by thunderstorms.
Small boats in these waters should remain ashore for the rest of the warning period.
