The leading edge of
Tropical Storm Gaemi packed a major punch, causing floods throughout
Pattaya. Here, a tourist tries to evacuate his motorcycle from Soi
Marine Plaza just off Waling Street late Friday night / early Saturday
morning. But as the entire kingdom battened down the hatches, expecting
the worst, the storm lost strength over land and fizzled as it passed
overhead.
Boonlua Chatree &
Patcharapol Panrak
Whilst Pattaya braced for the arrival of Tropical
Storm Gaemi, as it turns out, only the leading edge of the storm caused
any damage.
Sometimes
the worst part of flooding is the mud and debris it leaves behind.
The Thai Meteorological Department began warning
people in the area Oct. 4 that the storm had a maximum wind speed of 80
km per hour, and was moving west at 25 kph when it arrived on Vietnamese
shores that evening.
The department warned that the storm was expected to
last in the area Oct. 6, 7 & 8, when it was predicted to cause heavy
rains and strong winds in many provinces in the east, lower northeast
and central parts of the country.
The rain began falling in Pattaya around 11 p.m. Oct.
5, with four hours of downpour and, of course, flooding. Areas from
Beach Road to Soi Buakaow, and from South Pattaya to Sukhumvit Road were
affected.
Chonburi Gov. Khomsan Ekachai said Oct. 6 that
preparations were made to handle the flooding, with residents in at-risk
areas advised to relocate valuables and pets. Flash flood and landslide
warnings were issued.
Rayong Gov. Wichit Chatpaisit said he informed
sub-district mayors, police and other government officials to inform
residents of the ongoing situation. Each area made preparations to help
residents mitigate exposure to the storm and fishing boats were brought
in.
Sattahip Mayor Phawat Lertmukda said authorities
warned coastal fishermen to dock at local piers shielded from wind and
waves.
Chonburi Marine Department Director Pisut Amornyuth
said boat operators were warned to take extreme caution and prepare
equipment including lifeboats and other emergency aids.
Passenger boats crossing between Koh Loi in Sriracha
and Koh Srichang, were warned to navigate carefully and use lights
during low visibility. In cases where waves make it impossible for
operators to navigate, they were advised to anchor in a sheltered area.
Chetsada Ditman, head of the Prasae Maintenance
project, said the Prasae Reservoir can store 248 million cu meters of
water and is at no risk of overflowing.
People were invited to monitor the situation at
WaterForThai.com (Thai language), and report flooding and request help
form the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department at 038-272-814-5
or dial 1784.
Other helpful (English language) web sites, for
future reference, include
http://www.accuweather.com/en/th/national/satellite for current
satellite images and/or http://www.tmd.go.th/en/province.php?id=61 for
local information.
Expect rain to
continue
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Gaemi marked only the
beginning of at least two weeks of wet and story weather expected to hit
Pattaya.
The Pattaya Meteorological Department is warning
residents and tourists that heavy rainfall is expected to last another
two-to-three weeks as storms flow over the country from the Pacific
Ocean over Vietnam and Cambodia. Waves offshore could reach 3 meters
while the chance of rain onshore will range between 60-90 percent daily.
Department Spokesman Jaruwat Srichaowana advised
tourists planning visits to Pattaya to monitor the weather closely,
especially if planning to use boats.
The rainy season typically wanes after the third week in October.