BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand is preparing for another spell of unsettled weather, with heavy to very heavy rain forecast in some areas between November 5 and 9, prompting disaster officials to place 61 provinces and Bangkok on alert.
Nirat Phongsitthavorn, Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), said on November 3 that upper Thailand would experience thunderstorms, gusty winds and isolated heavy rain from November 5–7. The weather system is expected to affect the Northeast first, followed by the North, Central region, Bangkok and its surrounding areas, and the East.
The South is forecast to see increasing rainfall from November 7–9, with heavy rain expected across several areas and very heavy downpours possible in some locations. Officials are warning of potential flash floods, forest runoff, landslides and urban flooding.
For November 5–7, 16 northern provinces are being monitored: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phayao, Phrae, Nan, Uttaradit, Tak, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Phitsanulok, Phichit, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan and Uthai Thani.
The Northeast watch covers 10 provinces: Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima and Buri Ram.
In the Central region and East, 21 provinces are on alert: Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Suphan Buri, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Chonburi, Rayong, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram and Samut Prakan.
For November 5–9, flood and landslide monitoring will cover 14 southern provinces: Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun.
The Central Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command has coordinated with the 61 provinces and Bangkok to prepare for the changing weather and periods of heavy to very heavy rain. Local authorities have been instructed to ready emergency response teams, disaster-relief machinery and operational vehicles so they can assist residents immediately if conditions worsen or flooding spreads. Officials said assistance would remain available around the clock as the country faces another period of unsettled weather.
